December 2023 – December 2024: it took a year for the Saint-Joseph d'Espaly statue to regain its splendor, for the faithful of the sanctuary, like the public, to be able to enjoy the site again. At the start of winter 2023, work and the collection of donations were launched under the aegis of the Heritage Foundation. After a year to erase the many cracks that appeared over time and repair the ailing arm of Saint-Joseph, the emblematic statue of the Puy basin was inaugurated on Saturday, in the presence of the bishop and elected officials. On March 19, 2025, the feast of Saint Joseph, a new ceremony will take place in the presence of Monsignor Yves Baumgarten who this time will bless the statue. That is to say a few days, 115 years after one of his distant predecessors, Mgr Thomas-François Boutry, blessed this work of more than 22 meters in height, weighing nearly 80 tonnes and overlooking the Borne valley by 52 meters.
A little historical reminder: the statue was designed by the sculptor André Besqueut and is a technical feat, the work of the Parisian Debert workshops, since it is the first to have been made in reinforced concrete. Unfortunately, it was very damaged. It took eight years between the wish to restore it (Mgr Crepy was then bishop of Puy) and the start of this restoration. We had to wait until scaffolding was installed for a real assessment of the damage. In direct sunlight, the statue appears immaculate. In reality, it is rather beige.
“The monument is not classified, but we still contacted the DRAC, we delved into the archives. I myself contacted the National Library of France and was able to see photos where it appeared clear,” indicates Geoffroy Millet who, with the association of Friends of the Saint-Joseph d’Espaly site, worked a lot for the restoration.
The financial arrangement was complicated
Bishop Baumgarten recalls the avatars: “The statue being the property of the diocese, it was difficult to have the project carried out by a local community. We had thought of an association that could have received subsidies, but that was not possible either. We searched the law and case law. We realized, regarding a locally recognized heritage, that the Church could benefit from public subsidies for the renovation of a building with a religious but also cultural and tourist vocation.
The diocese was both project manager and project owner. During the inauguration, the bishop was also to discuss the importance for each of us to reclaim the place. The prelate intends to “bring the crowds there”. Starting with families, of which Saint Joseph is the protector. At the sanctuary, he has his “house”, a room where the “figure” of the spouse of the Virgin Mary and “adoptive” father of Jesus Christ is described.
By the numbers
2016 : We start talking about restoration with this question: who to finance and what legal structure
2023 : The project is launched during the winter. 1,2 million : The amount of work. Participation: region, department, municipality, urban area, Leader Fund, sponsorship. The Heritage Foundation finds 290 donors bringing in €90,000 (donations, patrons, inheritances).
There is the Saint Joseph, artisan and worker. The sanctuary symbolizes the notion of work. Finally, in Espaly, the faithful pray to Saint-Joseph-du-bon-Espoir. Hope, family and work. Bishop Baumgarten invites you to come to the sanctuary and pray for these values.
