Invitation to Encounter God Leads to a Benefit for Everyone

July 7, 2025

Photo credit: Fritz Nordengren

By Phil Grothus

Each Lent at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in West Des Moines, the pastor, Father Joseph Pins, and director of Faith Formation, Katie Patrizio, invite parishioners to dedicate one percent of their day—about 15 minutes—to prayer. While many find it difficult to sustain the habit, one parishioner accepted the challenge, and what followed was nothing short of extraordinary.

Larry Laughlin, a member of the parish, began participating in Eucharistic adoration, committing to a weekly hour on Mondays at 7 a.m. As a newcomer to adoration, he initially came prepared with books, prayer cards, and other devotional aids. Like many, he returned to the same seat each week, establishing a familiar rhythm. But one morning, when the chapel was unusually full, Laughlin realized he would need to shift seats to make a timely exit for work.

“A room full of adorers is a great problem to have,” he said. “But I needed to get to work.”

From that point on, he began sitting a few seats to the left—closer to the door. That small change would lead to something much bigger.

That first morning in his new seat and just a single prayer card in hand, Laughlin had a moment of clarity. As he prayed, he experienced a vivid spiritual prompting—a vision of a task God was calling him to undertake. When he opened his eyes, they fell upon a small olive wood sculpture of the Pietà, tucked into the corner of the chapel.

“I closed my eyes again, and the vision became clearer,” he said. “I knew what God was asking me to do.”

Laughlin felt called to bring a life-size replica of Michelangelo’s Pietà to St. Francis. He contacted Arte Divine, a group that has produced posthumous original editions of Michelangelo’s works since 2001, and brought the idea to Father Pins.

Photo credit: Phil Grothus

The pastor was immediately enthusiastic and envisioned placing the sculpture in the reservation chapel. Laughlin, however, felt strongly that the Pietà should be housed in a space that would invite deep personal prayer and reflection—an adoration chapel.

Father Pins embraced the vision and encouraged Laughlin to begin the work of making it a reality. Over the next eight months, Laughlin secured donors and worked with Arte Divine to arrange delivery.

On Friday, June 20, the Pietà was unveiled to the parish. For now, it is housed in the main church, but its permanent home will be behind the altar in the St. Francis Day Chapel, a sacred space that will seat 150 for daily Mass, small weddings, and Eucharistic adoration.

All are welcome to view the sculpture daily between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.

More than just a work of art, the Pietà is a testament to the power of prayer—and a reminder of what can happen when we say “yes” to the quiet call of the Lord.