Thursday, 4:30 PM
Jesus statue returned to Mission Hill monastery
(George Rizer/Globe Staff)
This statue of Jesus, shown above in an undated photo, was returned today after it was stolen from the Little Brothers of St. Francis monastery in Mission Hill.
By Charles A. Radin, Globe Staff
The statue of Jesus that was stolen last weekend from a small monastery in Mission Hill was returned late Monday or early this morning by a sober penitent who attached a note of regret to the 100-pound image of Christ displaying his sacred heart.
"I am very sorry about stealing your statue," the neatly-penned note said. "I had been drinking and made an extremely poor and out-of-character decision. I wanted to return it yesterday, but I woke up feeling overwhelmed by embarrassment and shame. I couldn't bear to be seen returning it."
Brother James Curran, founder of the Little Brothers of St. Francis ministry to the sick and homeless, said that they were "elated'' at the return of the statue. It was spotted this morning leaning against the side of one of the brothers' two houses in Parker street while members of the order were preparing for morning Mass.
