When did you join the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums and how did you first become involved?

On a beautiful spring day in the year 2000, I received a phone call from a woman I did not know. She identified herself as Catherine Glessing, a Lutheran with an interest in the Vatican Museums. Having learned about the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums she suggested I start a chapter in Minnesota. That very day I received a letter from my friend, the late Fr. Richard Bourgeois, OSB telling me that he had been named chaplain of the US chapters of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums. In the letter, he suggested I start a chapter in Minnesota. Taking this coincidence as a providential sign I gathered a group of friends and we established our MN/ND chapter that fall.

 

What made you decide to become a Member of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums?

I did not think I had a choice given what happened that auspicious day in the spring of 2000 when I was asked by two different people who had no knowledge of one another to start a PAVM chapter.

 

What have you enjoyed the most about being a Patron?

Most important to our work is the fact that we contribute to the preservation of one of the most important repositories of human history. As Pope Francis once said, The Vatican Museums do not belong to the Pope; they do not even belong to The Vatican; they belong to all of humanity. If that is indeed the case then it is up to all of us to make sure that these precious collections are well cared for so they can be preserved for generations to come.

 

Who are your favorite artists in the Vatican Museums?

Of course, everyone loves the great artists whose works adorn the halls of the Vatican Museums. And though I like them too, I have a special love for more contemporary art. Everyone loves Renaissance Madonnas and Baroque crucifixes, but what about the monumental paintings Bernard Buffet painted for the chapel on his estate? Or the beautiful Stations of the Cross by Previati? Or my all-time favorite: Le Manteau de la Vierge Marie by Hantai. These 20th C. works of art illustrate how sacred art is of all times and all places. And though these more recent artists may never be equated with the genius of Michelangelo or Raffael, they nevertheless have greatly contributed to the spiritual growth of many people.

 

Are there particular artworks or galleries that are special to you?

The contemporary collection started by Pope Paul VI as well as the Ethnological Museum are among my favorites in the Museums. I am a bit saddened by the fact that most people just walk by the contemporary collections hurriedly making their way to the Sistine Chapel. I am deeply touched by the attempt of contemporary artists to translate the Christian message into contemporary vernacular. We should never forget that all art was considered contemporary and avant-garde at some point, even Michelangelo’s frescos.

 

How has art had an impact on you, your family, or even your community?

Art has always been very important to me personally and to the work I do. From a very young age, I was mesmerized by classical music and a frequent visitor to various museums. In addition to my regular elementary and high school I attended an academy for fine arts where I studied music and the visual arts. One of my graduate degrees is in art history. In my work as director of the liturgy and the sacred arts at The Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis, I was able to start an art gallery in 2000. Currently, we host  8-10 exhibits per year, featuring local, national, and international artists. In 2017 we hosted a very successful Vatican exhibit on the Swiss Guards. In 1995 I was able to introduce an artist-in-residence program at The Basilica of Saint Mary including a composer-in-residence, resident musical ensembles, and a visual artist-in-residence. This initiative has been very important to the life of our community. Finally, as I lecture throughout the USA on all matters theological I always engage the arts to better communicate my message. After all, the arts are an exquisite tool to spread the Gospel message as well as the Golden Rule shared by so many religions.

 

What do you look forward to most at chapter events/ visits? If you haven’t had a chance to go on a visit to any events, do you have plans to attend one soon?

My favorite moment on every trip is when we walk into the Sistine Chapel as the faces of the people in our group light up as soon as they enter. I am especially attentive to the people who do this for the first time. Their expressions of amazement, delight, and wonder tell a thousand stories. Personally I always look forward to seeing the restoration artists at work, bringing a work of art to new life. I marvel at their talent and I delight in the impressive results of their hard work.

 

Do you have a particular story or memory you would like to share about your experience at the Vatican Museums?

One of the things I really enjoy doing is observing the guards, the sales clerks, and the cleaners while I visit the museums. I always wonder what goes on in the minds and hearts of the people who are surrounded by all these artistic treasures on a daily basis. How does their very proximity to these artistic treasures impact their way of thinking, even their way of living, whether they realize it or not?

 

Please pick one of the restoration projects that the Minnesota Chapter adopted and tell us about it and why your chapter decided to adopt it.

Because it was our first restoration the Hammer for the Verification of the Death of the Pope has a special place among our restoration projects. No longer practiced today, the hammer was used after the Pope was thought to have died. Calling him by his baptismal name three times, the Camerlengo tapped the Holy Father on the forehead. If he did not respond he was declared deceased. Then the same hammer was used to destroy the papal ring so no more documents could be sealed in his name. My most favorite three restoration projects are: The Stations of the Cross by Previati, Veronica by Bernard Buffet, and Le Manteau de la Vierge Marie by Hantai. The latter is undoubtedly my absolute favorite. The technique, the color, the size of the painting as well as the spirituality that flows from it are absolutely moving to me. I only wish it could be experienced by more people.