The Stations of the Cross

The carved oaken Stations of the Cross are the work of the sculptor and artist Pietro Montana. Born in Italy, Montana moved to New York City at age fourteen. Former Fordham President Robert J. Gannon, S.J. (1936-49), commissioned the artist to design the Stations in 1947 as part of the renovations to mark the Church's 100th anniversary; the work was unveiled during the 1952 Easter season. While working on the Stations, Montana was appointed resident artist at Fordham, where he taught painting, drawing and modeling. Montana also designed the portrait tablets of Pope Pius XII and Cardinal Spellman, both of which hang in Keating Hall.