Make a Gift: UDM Law Phoenix Project

The Phoenix Project: A Room of Renewal at Detroit Mercy School of Law

In the heart of Detroit, tucked away from the bustle of city streets, a hidden treasure waits quietly for its second life. Like the legendary Phoenix, this treasure is ready to rise from obscurity and shine once more. At Detroit Mercy School of Law, we are bringing this vision to life—a space where reflection, hope and renewal will inspire all who enter.

Long ago, in the day chapel of Sts. Peter and Paul Jesuit Church, a Pieta statue stood as a symbol of grace, sorrow and love. When the chapel was dismantled, the statue was carefully moved into storage at the Law School. Over the years, time took its toll. Cracks formed on its surface, paint peeled and one delicate finger was broken. Though out of sight, the Pieta never lost its quiet dignity, patiently waiting for the care it deserved.

The legend of the Phoenix mirrors this statue’s story. Across cultures—Greek, Egyptian, Persian—the Phoenix rises from its ashes, renewed and stronger, a symbol of hope and endurance. Our Pieta, too, is ready to rise, transformed from a forgotten artifact into a centerpiece of reflection and inspiration.

With your support, we will restore this masterpiece and the room that will house it. The $15,000 project will bring together three key elements:

• Restoration of the Pieta, returning it to its original beauty and repairing the damage of time.
• Painting and lighting, creating a warm, welcoming environment that honors the statue’s significance.
• Installation of stained-glass windows, bathing the room in color and light, completing the transformation into a sanctuary of renewal.

When this room opens it will be a serene space for students, alumni, faculty and visitors to pause, reflect and draw strength from the story of endurance it embodies.

Join us in bringing the Phoenix to life. With your gift, the Pieta will rise from obscurity into light, and this room will become a lasting testament to beauty, resilience and hope for generations to come.