The four Aragni brothers from Corte are putting the finishing touches on a remarkable marble statue of Saint Theophilus, Corsica's only canonized saint. After a year of dedicated work, Jean, Mimi, Marc, and Michel Aragni have transformed a 3.5-ton block of Carrara marble into a life-sized tribute to one of their city's most important historical figures.
The ambitious project began with a simple observation from Laurent Ghionga, prior of the San Teofalu brotherhood. "We wanted to create a statue of one of Corte's most important figures who doesn't yet have one in the city," Ghionga explained. The brotherhood initially considered commissioning a bronze statue, but the high cost led them to explore alternatives.
"Bronze was very expensive. So we thought: why don't we make it ourselves in marble?" said Jean Aragni, who is also a member of the brotherhood. This decision launched an extraordinary undertaking that would showcase local craftsmanship and devotion to their patron saint.
Saint Theophilus, born Blaise de Signori in Corte in 1676, took the religious name Theophilus before being canonized by Pope Pius XI on June 29, 1930. He holds the unique distinction of being Corsica's only saint, making this statue project particularly significant for the island's religious and cultural heritage.
The four Aragni brothers, who come from a family lineage of stonemasons and marble workers, dedicated themselves to the project with remarkable commitment. Working one or two days per week over the course of a year, they carefully sculpted the rectangular marble block into a detailed religious figure weighing just under 1.5 tons.
"This is our first statue," admitted Jean Aragni during the project. His brother Michel, while polishing the intricate folds of the saint's marble robes, jokingly added, "And the last one!" Despite their humor, the brothers' skill and dedication are evident in the quality of their craftsmanship.
To ensure the statue's inauguration becomes a truly historic moment for Corte, the San Teofalu brotherhood has launched a crowdfunding campaign. The fundraising effort aims to support the ceremonial aspects of the statue's unveiling and installation, making it a community celebration worthy of honoring Corsica's patron saint.
The project represents more than just artistic achievement; it embodies the preservation of local traditions and religious heritage. By creating the statue themselves rather than commissioning outside artists, the Aragni brothers and the brotherhood have demonstrated the enduring spirit of Corsican craftsmanship and community pride that has defined the island for generations.
