One of the largest and most prominent pieces is the Celtic crucifix, which hangs behind the altar at St. Patrick Church. Commissioned by Msgr. Patrick Higgins, then pastor of the parish, it features carved Celtic knot work, a crown of thorns, the Holy Name monogram "IHS" at the top and the words "Thy will be done" (Lk 22:42) at its base. An Italian artist did the corpus.

As Sister Brigid O'Neill celebrates her 85th anniversary of profession of vows, many see it as an opportunity to reflect upon her God given talent as a wood carver. Her pieces have fulfilled the real purpose of ecclesiastical art in chapels and churches throughout the diocese by inspiring and helping others draw closer to God in prayer.

Sister Brigid has completed seven sets of Stations of the Cross, which hang in various chapels though the United States, including the Incarnate Word Convent chapels in both Corpus Christi and Brownsville; Immaculate Conception Chapel which serves Bishop Garriga Middle Preparatory School and John Paul II High School; the retreat chapel in San Juan and the Maryknoll Novitiate Chapel in Bedford, Mass.

Working from a small room in the back of the Convent, Sister Brigid produced numerous individual pieces, including the ingenious mahogany Coat of Arms presented to Bishop Thomas J. Drury in 1978.

Sister Brigid, a Corpus Christi native, began woodcarving in 1948, and even as a child she was interested in sculpture. She never received formal instruction, yet her art has attracted many admirers. It has been displayed in exhibits in Boston, New York, and Rome.

In a 1978 interview for the South Texas Catholic, Sr. Brigid recalled that she had never seen a wood carving.

"I saw a figure made in plaster and I thought it would look good in wood. So I got a razor blade and pocket knife."

Her first effort was a Madonna and child, which she gave to her mother. The first piece of wood came from the end of an apple box.

"I didn't pursue it because it was wrong," she said, "so, I started over."

Only once has she stained any of the pieces she has carved.

"It's a violence to wood to paint it or cover it up," she said emphatically. "We woodcarvers can arrange the design to fit the media."

Besides woodcarvings, others have been helped in prayer using the rosaries she made by forming the beads out of rose petals. Speaking in the congregation's most recent publication, Word Life, she rejoiced in her unique way of sharing the Incarnate Word.

"Through the years I honored requests for carvings and so my God-given gift has gone far and wide. I remain humbly grateful that the Lord touched me and through me, touched so many others."