THIRTY YEARS OF THE VATICAN MUSEUMS' “PATRONS OF THE ARTS”

Vatican City, 8 October 2013 (VIS) – The Vatican Museums will hold a series of initiatives and events from 15 to 20 October 2013 to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Patrons of the Arts, an international community of benefactors who for three decades have “adopted” and provided valuable economic support for the conservation, restoration and appreciation of the treasures conserved in the Vatican Museums.

The history of the Patrons began in 1982, when the Holy See promoted, throughout the United States, the itinerant exhibition, “The Vatican Collections: the Papacy and Art”. This great overseas event led first to the creation of “The Friends of the Vatican Museums” and then the institution of the Patrons of the Arts at the behest of Cardinal Rosalio José Castillo Lara, now co-ordinated by Fr. Mark Haydu.

The Patrons of the Arts finance, above all, the “extraordinary” maintenance of the papal collections, and over the years, they have made possible the restoration of the “Stories of the Life of Christ and Moses” in the Sistine Chapel, the Pauline and Nicolene Chapels, the fifteenth-century Papal Apartments of Pope Alexander IV Borgia, the Scala Sancta, the and the “Galera” Fountain in the Vatican Gardens. They have also financed the restoration of the Santa Rosa Necropolis and the Matisse Room within the Vatican Museums.

The Patrons do not limit their attention only to famous works of art; they also finance “minor” projects, which allow restorers the opportunity to carefully examine works and to accompany their restoration with detailed research, leading at times to important historical and scientific discoveries that may be shared with the international art world at large. Indeed, the occupational implications of the “adoptive” conservational projects assume particular importance in periods of economic crisis. The numerous restoration workshops established with the support of the Patrons have ensured work for many young experts in the restoration and conservation of artistic heritage.

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

Vatican City, 8 October 2013 (VIS) – Today, the Holy Father appointed Professor Paolo Cherubini as vice prefect of the Vatican Secret Archive. Professor Cherubini is currently lecturer in Latin paleography at the University of Palermo and at the Vatican School of Paleography, Diplomatics and Archivists.

FRANCIS RECEIVES THE KING OF LESOTHO: RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IS ESSENTIAL FOR GOOD RELATIONS BETWEEN STATE AND CHURCH

Vatican City, 7 October 2013 (VIS) – Today in the Vatican Apostolic Palace the Holy Father Francis received in audience their Majesties the King of Lesotho, Letsie III, and Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso. The Sovereign subsequently met with Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussions, the Parties spoke of the good relations between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Lesotho, with special reference to the importance of religious freedom, to favour positive collaboration between the State and the Church. In this regard, appreciation was expressed for the commitment of the Sovereign and the Government to prioritising healthcare and education, and for the significant ecclesial contribution in the fields of charity, justice and peace.

Finally, mention was made of themes of an ethical and social nature, such as the family, as well as issues relating to the political and economic situation in the Region.

FRANCIS: PRAYER IS THE BREATH OF FAITH; PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD IN LAMPEDUSA

Vatican City, 6 October (VIS) – At midday Francis appeared at the window of his study to pray the Angelus with more than one hundred thousand faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square and in the adjacent Via della Conciliazione.

The Pope began by giving thanks to God for his pastoral visit to Assisi on Friday, revealing that it was the first time he had visited the city, and remarking that “it was a great gift to be able to make this pilgrimage on the feast day of St. Francis”.

He went on to comment on the day's Gospel reading, in which the disciples ask Christ to make their faith grow in them. “It seems to me that we can all make this request our own. We too, like the Apostles, say to the Lord Jesus, 'Increase our faith! Yes, Lord, our faith is small, our faith is weak and fragile, but we offer it to you just as it is, so that you will make it grow'”.

“And how does the Lord answer? He replies, 'If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree: 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. The mustard seed is very small, but Jesus says that it is enough to have a faith like this, small, but true and sincere, to do things that are humanly impossible, unthinkable. And it is true! We all know people who are simple, humble, but with incredibly strong faith, who truly move mountains! Think, for example, of certain mothers and fathers who face very difficult situations, or certain sick people, even those who are gravely ill, who convey serenity to those who visit them. ... How many people among us have this strong, humble faith and do so much good!”

Francis also spoke of the missions, to which the month of October is dedicated, and recalled the “many missionaries, men and women, who have overcome all sorts of obstacles to spread the Gospel. They have truly given their life”, but equally, “each one of us, in his or her everyday life, can bear witness to Christ, with the power of God, the power of faith, the small faith that we have, which is nonetheless strong”. We obtain this strength “from God in prayer. Prayer is the breath of faith: in a relationship of trust, in a relationship of love, dialogue cannot be lacking, and prayer is a dialogue of the soul with God”.

October is also the month of the Rosary, and on this first Sunday it a tradition to recite the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii, the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Holy Rosary. “Let us join spiritually in this act of confidence in our Mother”, he added, “and we receive from her hands the beads of the Rosary: the Rosary is a school of prayer; the Rosary is a school of faith!”

Following the Angelus prayer, the Pope referred to the beatification of Rolando Rivi yesterday in Modena. Rivi, killed in 1945 at the age of just fourteen for hatred of the faith at e was a seminarian of that region, Emilia, who was killed in 1945, when he was 14, “guilty only of wearing a cassock during that time of raging violence against the clergy, who spoke out to condemn in the name of God the postwar massacres. But faith in Jesus triumphs over the spirit of the world! Let us give thanks to God for this young martyr, heroic witness to the Gospel!”

He concluded, “I would like to remember with you all those who lost their lives in Lampedusa on Thursday. Let us all pray in silence for these brothers and sisters of ours: women, men, children… Let our hearts weep. Let us pray in silence”, a plea that was heeded by the one hundred thousand people in the square.

CARDINAL MEISNER, SPECIAL ENVOY TO XANTEN

Vatican City, 5 October 2013 (VIS) - A letter was published today, in Latin and dated 3 September, in which the Pope appoints Cardinal Joachim Meisner, archbishop of Cologne, Germany, as his special envoy to the celebration of the 750th anniversary of the laying of the first stone of the cathedral of Xanthen, Germany, scheduled to take place on 13 October.

The mission accompanying the cardinal will be composed of Rev. Alfred Mantheny, parish priest and Wolfgang Schmitz, deacon of Rheinberg.