Archangel Gabriel
Gabriel is one of the seven archangels.
Archangel Gabriel is best known as the messenger of God who revealed to the Virgin Mary that she would bear the son of God: “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.” The angel’s greeting, Ave Maria, is the most important Catholic prayer, beside the Lord’s Prayer.
The statue
In art, Gabriel is usually depicted holding a lily in his hand. The lily symbolises Mary’s purity.
-
Attribute
A lily held in the hand
-
The sculpture
The statue on the West Front is modeled by Stinius Fredriksen and carved by Arne Kvidbergskår. The statue was erected in 1940.
