Collection of altarpieces in the Jesuit Monastery (Orduña)
Altarpiece of the Sacred Heart of Mary (former Saint Francis Xavier)
- Church: Church of the Holy Family (Orduña)
- Location: crossing, Epistle Side
- Artists: Felipe del Castillo (architect) and Martín del Hoyo (sculptor)
- Patron: Juan de Urdanegui
- Chronology: 17th century (1688-1689)
- Style: Baroque
A sculpture from the 20th century for one of the best Basque baroque altarpieces
Interactive altarpiece: click on the pictures to get more information.
Iglesia:
The Holy Family church originally was the church of the important Jesuit College in Orduña. This college is located in the centre of Orduña next to the customs facilities and the town hall. Its construction started in 1683 thanks to the donations given by 
The church stands out for its monumentality with the portico, the two belfries and the large 
Patronage:
Even though the altarpiece was originally dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier, today its main sculpture represents the Sacred Heart of Mary.
This devotion began in the 17th century in Europe; however, it did not spread until the 20th century. It became widespread in particular from 1925 onwards following the apparitions of the Virgin of Fatima.
Description:
The 
The polychromy of the altarpiece is kept simple. It appears mainly in the sculptures and makes them look like marble.
However, the sculpture of the Sacred Heart of Mary is modern and 
History:
This collection of altarpieces was built between 1688 and 1689 thanks to the nobleman and commander Juan de Urdanegui, who in 1666 had promised financial aid for the construction of a Jesuit College and Church in Orduña. Martín del Hoyo, a sculptor from Cantabria, and Felipe del Castillo, an architect from Orduña, were in charge of the construction. The latter one had built other works for the Society of Jesus such as the Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist Church in Bilbao. (Iglesia de los Santos Juanes)
The altarpiece was originally dedicated to the Jesuit Saint, Francis Xavier. However, in 1963, the monks of the Congregation of Saint Joseph, who currently run the College, changed the main sculpture and dedicated the altarpiece to the Sacred Heart of Mary.
Sculptures:
Body 1
Virgin Mary
This sculpture from the 20th century depicts the Virgin Mary showing a heart on her chest surrounded by flames to symbolise her love towards her son. The heart is decorated with seven roses as allusion to the seven Sorrows, which Mary had suffered during her life as mother of Jesus.
Attic
Martyrs of Nagasaki
This wooden relief painted as if it was made of marble shows the execution of three Japanese Jesuits in the outskirts of the Japanese town Nagasaki in 1597. The three Saints were crucified and pierced with lances, just as depicted in this picture. Above them appear three Angels waiting to take the martyrs’ souls into Glory.