Montreal, 3rd June 2005 (CNA)
- A much-anticipated exhibit of more than 300
pieces of Vatican art was launched yesterday at an
invitation-only gathering at Notre-Dame
Basilica.
St. Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of
the Popes is making its only Canadian and Eastern
North American stop in Montreal. It features
paintings, mosaics, vestments, liturgical objects
and Vatican documents that trace the history of
the papacy from St. Peter to the current day.
One of the oldest objects is a
4th-century mosaic of St. Peter. On
display is also the legendary Mandylion of Edessa,
a piece of linen with an image of Christ’s face
and mounted in a frame. Legend has it that the
object has miraculous powers of
healing.
The exhibit also has items belonging to the
still very young papacy of Pope Benedict XVI, such
as the brilliant chalice he used to celebrate his
first mass as Pope in the Sistine Chapel. Visitors
can also see the urns in which the cardinals
placed their votes and the apparatus that
generated the white and black smoke signals,
indicating to the world whether a new Pope had
been elected.
A number of dignitaries were present,
including Quebec’s two cardinals: Jean-Claude
Turcotte, archbishop of Montreal, and Marc
Ouellet, archbishop of Quebec City. Quebec’s
Lt.-Gov. Lise Thibeault, the Apostolic Nuncio,
Archbishop Luigi Ventura, and Msgr. Roberto
Zagnoli of the Vatican museums were also on hand.
In his address to the 400 people present,
Cardinal Turcotte read a telegram from Pope
Benedict XVI, which was sent for the occasion.
The Pope expressed his hope that those who
see the beauty of the artwork will be drawn closer
to Christ, and will grow in love and knowledge of
God.
“The objects in this exhibit are the result
of centuries of adoration and devotion to God,”
said Cardinal Turcotte. “Art is one of the best
ways to express our love for God.”
The cardinal then gave the exhibit his
blessing, later saying: “I am happy that the
people of Canada have access to these beautiful
objects of the Vatican.”
“It is providential that the exhibit is
here at this time, when people are very interested
in the Vatican because of all of the recent
events,” said Cardinal Ouellet. “It is an
important resource for evangelization, through
beauty, because God is the author of all
beauty.”
Tribute to John Paul II
An entire section of the exhibit is
dedicated to Pope John Paul II, and the most
touching object by far is a bronze cast of the
late pontiff’s hands. Visitors are encouraged to
touch the bronze cast, which is the last object in
the exhibit. One by one, each person yesterday
clasped the bronze hand, some visibly moved and
lingering there for nearly a minute.
This section also includes John Paul II’s
well-known pastoral staff, which is topped with
the crucified Christ, the hammer with which he
knocked on the Holy Door for the Jubilee, and the
cope and miter he wore on that occasion.
“It was Pope John Paul’s desire to have
exhibits of Vatican art travel outside of Rome,”
said Msgr. Zagnoli.
“John Paul would say, ‘Since it is not
everybody who can go to the Vatican, the Vatican
will go out to the people so that they know these
objects belong to them, too.’ In this way, the
door to the Vatican has opened on Canada and North
America,” Msgr. Zagnoli said.
The exhibit was “marvelous,” said Guy
Ouellet, who came with his wife. “I learned a lot
about the papacy and the Church,” said the retired
69-year-old. Ouellet had never been able to travel
to Rome, and said he had never seen such beautiful
objects before. “I will definitely return before
the summer is over and really take my time with
the tour,” he said.
The Vatican treasures will be on exhibit in
Montreal from June 4 to Sept. 18. It will then
head to San Antonio and Milwaukee, before
returning to Rome.
