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SAN ANTONIO • The historically significant art and important objects in “Saint Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of the Popes” are now on display at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center through Jan. 8, 2006.
The 15,000 square foot exhibition presents more than 300 objects in contextual settings, spanning 2,000 years of papal history and emphasizing the Vatican’s impact on culture through the centuries. Many of these items have never left the Vatican or been on public view, and San Antonio is one of only three North American cities to host this exhibit.
On Oct. 14, a media day was held to give the press and invited guests a first glimpse of this once-in-a-lifetime event. Speakers at the media briefing included Msgr. Robert Zagnoli, curator of the Vatican Museums; Archbishop José H. Gomez; Mayor Phil Hardberger, Rabbi Barry Block of Temple Beth-El, Commissioner Nelson H. Balido from the Texas Commission of the Arts; Mark Greenberg, president of Clear Channel Exhibitions, producers of the Vatican exhibit; Jeffrey Wyatt, senior vice president of exhibitions for Clear Channel Exhibitions; and Peter Radetsky, Ph.D., content developer of Clear Channel Exhibitions.
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In his comments, Archbishop Gomez said that San Antonians are blessed to live in a city that has played its small part in the long history of the papacy. “Pope John Paul II energized Catholics and non-Catholics alike when he visited San Antonio in 1987,” the archbishop recalled. “He left behind rare and lasting memories of the pope praying at San Fernando Cathedral, celebrating Mass in an open field, and members of Pope John Paul II in his popemobile, driving by the Alamo, a symbol of both faith and freedom for Texans.”
This past year, said Archbishop Gomez, has seen people from all over the world celebrate the life and mourn the passing of Pope John Paul II and watch with great anticipation the election of his successor, Pope Benedict XVI. He stated, “It seems that San Antonio is the right place, and this year is the right time, for this kind of papal visit.”
The archbishop also spoke of his eagerness for all to see this distinguished exhibit. “Certainly, our 660,000 Catholics in the Archdiocese of San Antonio are fortunate to have been giving this opportunity to learn more about this remarkable succession of faith that is their heritage. I especially hope that we will use this opportunity to teach our children about their church.”
In addition, Archbishop Gomez described San Antonio’s history of people from many faith traditions coming together at times of great need as well as celebration. “I am particularly excited to share this history with my brothers and sisters of the interfaith community,” he said. “This will be a moment of celebration and grace that can help us to understand each other even better.”
New Vatican objects for this three-city, 11-month tour include the cartridge that produced the white smoke heralding Pope Benedict XVI’s election and four items that comprise the new pope’s first vestments, including a cassock, zucchetto, pectoral cross and shoes.
Three sets of outfits are delivered to the Vatican, identical except for size: small, medium and large.
Two urns and two patens also join the collection. The cardinal’s ballots were set on a small gilded bronze plate and then slid into an urn adorned with sheep, which served to gather the ballots. A second urn, topped with a shepherd, was used to hold the ballots after they had been counted. The two urns are meant to reflect Christ as the Good Shepherd. The urns were designed by sculptor Cecco Bonanotte, who also created the bronze cast of Pope John Paul II’s hand, one of the most moving objects in the exhibit.
“We are most gratified to add the new pope’s items to the more than 300 pieces that trace 2,000 years of Catholic leadership,” said Wyatt. “Exhibition visitors will have a rare opportunity to see the new objects related to Pope Benedict’s election before they are finally displayed in Rome. We are truly blessed to have them.”
The exhibition objects, beginning with St. Peter through Pope John Paul II, and now the new pope, include tiaras, sketches, jewelry, vestments, sculptures and gifts to the popes from Napoleon and the Dalai Lama, which are on loan from the Vatican, the Vatican Museums, the archives of Propaganda Fide, the Pontifical Sacristy, the Sistine Chapel and Roman churches administered by the Vatican.
Tickets for “St. Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of the Popes” are on sale through Ticketmaster (http://www.ticketmaster.com). Groups of 15 or more can call 1-877-VATICAN (1-877-482-8422). |