Tracy O’Sullivan, O.Carm., pastor

The neighborhood around Saint Raphael’s in south central Los Angeles is a neighborhood in flux—with new construction, new groups (mostly immigrant) moving in, and lots of renovations. The parish reflects all this with its new buildings, new groups registering, and lots of renovations. Inside the church there are new stained glass windows, installed two years ago; there is a new altar and new ambo (pulpit), installed last year; and a dramatic new crucifix. Last year the parish dedicated a beautiful brand new parish center building. The school has a newly renovated gymnasium.

Now, the latest in this series of projects is a place for prayer—a brand new garden featuring original art, statuary, gentle lighting and what must be a thousand rose plants. The garden is located behind and to the right of the church building.

The entrance to the garden features a large triptych designed by a young and talented parishioner, Pixote Hunt (his first name is pronounced Pih-zho’-tay). This triptych reflects the parish. The first panel of children of many races gathered with doves to show the multiracial composition of the parish, gathered by the Spirit, to live in peace. The second panel is a modern setting of Jesus in Gethsemane. The third panel is Jesus above the streets of South Central.

Inside the garden, the various statues and reliefs represent the various ethnic and national groups that currently attend the parish. There is a statue of the risen Christ for the people of El Salvador (the Savior). There is a statue of Martin de Porres placed by the African- American parishioners. There is a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the Mexican and Mexican-American parishioners. There is a relief of the Sacred Heart for the people of Belize. The list goes on. Two fountains add their gentle babbling to add to the beauty and to the peace.

Central in the garden is a large display board, the “Wall of Hope,” where the youth of the parish are featured—colleges they are attending, careers they are pursuing—declaring that South Central can be a place of opportunity.

The Prayer Garden, filled with roses and their fragrance, filled with art and beauty, filled with the sounds of wind-chimes and fountains, not only is a place to nourish one’s spirit, but reflects the strength and vibrancy of the parish of Saint Raphael and the strength and vibrancy of the neighborhood.