Chapter History

The Vatican Museum Exhibit at the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition was Outstanding. It was arranged by the late Walter Persegati (Secretary-General and Treasurer of the Vatican Museums) and the late Fr. Valentine “Val” Ambrose McInnes, O.P. of New Orleans, who traveled to Rome and the Vatican Museums with many small groups and significant restorations were made through the years prior to the World Exposition. In 1985, The Patrons of the Vatican Museums in the South, Inc. was incorporated by Catholic members of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and Alexandria, Louisiana. Fr. Val McInnes, Deacon Paul Nalty (deceased), and his wife Jane Nalty, Joy Nalty Hodges, and St. Denis Villere were some of the incorporating officers. Dr. Rudy Ehrensing’s organizational skills have been invaluable. Throughout the years, the Chapter has grown to approximately 51 Patrons and Deacon Nalty’s son, Rev. Msgr. Christopher H. Nalty is now the Chaplain and leader of our trips to the Basilica of St. Peter and the Vatican Museums. Msgr. Nalty attended the Pontifical North American College in Rome and is a Certified Guide to the Vatican Necropolis under the Basilica of St. Peter. Msgr. Nalty has been working with Louisiana Patrons since 1994. Louisiana Patrons were present for the unveiling of Michelangelo’s “Final Judgement” after it was cleaned.

Recently, during the November 2017 Rome Pilgrimage with Msgr. Nalty, the Louisiana Chapter had the opportunity to visit the Vatican Restoration Labs and view its recent project, the completed restoration of the inspiring and beloved “Bust of Ecce Homo”.

The Chapter has participated in restoration projects such as the “Pius IX Takes Restoration of the City of Rome, the Lateran Basilica and the Bramante Courtyard”. The Louisiana Chapter is grateful for the scholarship and stewardship of Msgr. Christopher Nalty, Dr. Rudy Ehrensing, Dr. Frank Schmidt, Dr. Harold Fuselier, Jr., and John Charbonnet; and the dedicated benefactors past and present who have generously shared their time, their talent, and their love in restoring and preserving the many spiritual masterpieces.

As the next generation of Patrons, plan the future, let us be ever mindful, God’s Holy Spirit is at work in the human heart. God’s grace has inspired numerous master artists over the centuries to tell stories of the Bible in painting, sculpture, mosaic, stained glass, inspiring structures and other art forms. The Louisiana Chapter is appreciative of the opportunity to collaborate in the preservation of the remarkable “visual story” of the many extraordinary works within the Vatican art collection.

 

Chapter Mission

The Patrons of the Arts are passionate about the arts’ ability to inspire, elevate, and reveal the human spirit. Our mission is to promote, restore, and conserve the artistic patrimony of the collections and buildings of the Vatican Museums. As an interfaith nonprofit organization, patrons are organized into regional chapters that further its members’ knowledge of these works of art through local events and Vatican Museums activities.

Patrons are dedicated to sustaining one of the oldest and most unconventional museums in the world. Unlike other major museums, the Vatican Museums receive no tax revenue to sponsor the restoration of its treasures and therefore rely significantly on the generosity of our Patrons.

The Patrons enable the Vatican Museums to:

• Restore and conserve the works of art of the Holy See; 
• Convey the cultural, spiritual, and historic patrimony of the Vatican Museums; 
• Improve, enrich, and expand the Vatican Museum’s facilities and collections.

The annual membership fee is a tax-deductible donation used for restoration work, conservation projects, equipment for the restoration laboratories, capital improvements, and acquisition of art. You can become a member by check or money order using the Membership Form.