The Basilica of Annunciation in Nazareth was built and ordained in 1969. There are collections of The Virgin Mary/Madonna ceramic statue inside and outside the church and wearing various traditional dress from around the world.

As a small pilgrim group from Indonesia visited the church in October 2004, the group have noticed that there was no Madonna statue from Indonesia.

There was however an available space at a corner. The group then asked the church leader, if it was possible for that space to be filled with Madonna statue from Indonesia. The answer was positive. This made the pilgrim group very happy and excited.

As soon as the group got home, one of its member, Joe Kamdani, contacted his friend, F. Widayanto, a ceramic artist. Explained about the intention to make a Virgin Mary statue in Kebaya, Indonesia’s traditional dress.

It took over a year from process of sketching to finishing of the statue. Finally, with God’s blessing, Indonesia’s Madonna stood at The Basilica of Annunciation in Nazareth with white veil on her head, graceful face, cupped hands and surrounded with so many rose buds, wearing sarong and kebaya.