Perched on the heights of Cerro del Mogorro, overlooking the La Jara region in the province of Toledo, a massive statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus now rises in silence, arms wide open, as if to welcome and bless the entire valley. This monumental work, nearly 8 meters tall and weighing over 35 tons, was erected not by an administration or a patron, but by the simple faithful of a small village of 500 souls: La Nava de Ricomalillo.
This audacious project, matured in prayer and carried with fervor for 15 years, finally sees the light of day thanks to the deep faith of the inhabitants, their tenacity, and the impetus given by two exemplary priests.
An Initiative Born in the Heart of a Missionary Priest
The first impulse is owed to don Enrique Rodriguez Torrejon, former pastor of the parish. Over fifteen years ago, the priest had the idea to install a statue of Christ atop an old, dilapidated bastion on the hill overlooking the village. The initiative took root before his departure for mission in Peruvian territory, in the Prelature of Moyobamba, where he still serves today. Don Enrique, with patience and conviction, knew how to sow this spiritual seed in the hearts of his parishioners.
Mobilized around this vision, the villagers set to work: collecting donations, organizing labor, logistical support... An extraordinary collective effort, which allowed them to raise the necessary 45,000 euros, largely through small, regular contributions.
The chosen location to host the statue was none other than a ruined old *torreon*. This vestige, located more than four kilometers from the village center, was restored from top to bottom. Within it, workers erected a massive concrete pillar, a solid foundation intended to support the colossal weight of the statue of Christ.
A Work of Art and Faith
The statue itself is the work of sculptor Rodrigo Espada Belmonte. Too massive to be moved in one piece, it had to be designed in two parts. Transporting it to the summit of Mogorro proved particularly complex: tractors, trucks, and three powerful cranes were needed to hoist the pieces during a spectacular operation that lasted over five hours last December.
Before that, the statue had been waiting for several years on a vacant lot, while administrative permits were obtained and the tower restoration works were completed.
Today, it is another priest who enabled the completion of this work: don Hector J. Rodriguez de Rivera, a young pastor originally from the Canary Islands. Under his discreet but decisive impetus, the final obstacles were removed, the formalities completed, and the installation finalized. He thus brought to fruition the dream of his predecessor and of an entire community.
This Saturday, June 21, 2025, the statue of the Sacred Heart will be solemnly consecrated by the Archbishop of Toledo, Most Rev. Francisco Cerro Chaves. This event will mark the culmination of a collective project, but above all a public act of faith and an offering of love from the people of La Nava to their Lord.
What these villagers have accomplished, often in media indifference, is a great lesson in piety, constancy, and Christian dignity. In a world where churches are deserted, profaned, or even transformed into concert halls or shopping centers, they have raised Christ, literally, above their heads.
The message is clear: their lives are oriented toward Heaven. And in this corner of Castile, Jesus now watches day and night, arms open, over His faithful children.