75. ALL-SAINTS: From the Workshop of Dr. Raffy Lopez

A sampling of completed santos from the workshop ofDr. Raffy Lopez, the Philippines' leading ecclesiastical artist and vestment maker. Dr. Lopez restores old ivories as well as antique wooden statuaries. He can also create new ones, ivories being his specialties--from tabletop sizes to processional images.

SAN PIO QUINTO (Pope Pius V)
St. Pope Pius V, (or Michele Ghislieri)was Pope from 1566 to 1572 . He is notable for his role in the Council of Trent, the Counter-Reformation, and the standardization of the Roman liturgy within the Latin Church. Feast Day: April 30

SAN PEDRO APOSTOL
A restored antique piece, St. Peter is shown with his attribute--a rooster--in reference to the Biblical account where the cock crowed thrice after Peter's betrayal of Christ. Feast Day: June 29

STA. MARTA
An ivory image made after the likeness of the Santa Marta image of Pateros, which shows the saint holding a palm leaf and standing on top of a crocodile, instead of a dragon. Feast Day: July 29

STA. CATALINA DE ALEJANDRIA
St. Catherine of Alexandria wields her attribute--the sword--which she used to cut the head of Emperor Maxentius, shown underfoot. Her other emblem, the spiked wheel, or now known as the Catherine wheel, is by her side, the instrument of her martyrdom. Feast Day: November 25

STA. JUANA DE CUZA
This not-so-known saint, St. Joanna of Chuza, was a woman of affluence who gave financial support to Jesus Christ and was also present when His empty tomb was discovered. She was the wife of Chuza, the steward of Herod Antipas. This is a wooden processional saint. Feast Day: May 24

SAN FRANCISCO DE ASIS
St. Francis of Assisi, holding a cross, one of his attributes.He founded the men's Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the lay Third Order of Saint Francis. Feast Day: October 4.

SAN CLEOFAS
St. Cleophas, is the father of St. James the Less, husband of St. Mary Cleophas, and brother of St. Joseph. Feast day: Sept. 25

SAN JUAN EVANGELISTA
An exquisite santo representing St. John the Evangelist--with ivory head, hands and feet. The young apostle was present at Calvary, providing comfort to the sorrowful Virgin Mary. Feast Day: Dec. 27

SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA
A restored ivory likeness of St. Anthony of Padua in his traditional brown habit, holding the Christ Child, and some stems of lilies, to signify his purity. He is one of the Doctors of the Church. Feast Day: June 13