california patrons march 2016 vatican museums of the …€¦ · beginning on april 1, 2016. a...

MessaggeroMarch 2016CALIFORNIA PATRONS

OF THE ARTS IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS

An interview with Fr. Daniel Hennessy conducted by California Intern Ami Badami

Fr. Daniel Hennessy, L.C., 41, is from Dallas, Texas. He graduated from Highlands School in Irvine, Texas and entered the Legionaries of Christ in Cheshire, Connecticut in 1993. He studied philosophy in Rome, undertook a four year internship in Caracas, Venezuela, and then returned to Rome to earn a Bachelor’s and Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. He has served for the last seven years in Philadelphia focused on spiritual direction and retreats. Fr. Daniel

has been working alongside Fr. Mark Haydu for almost two months now, and with an open mind and heart, he is embracing the varied responsibilities in the Vatican. Fr. Mark will take up his new assignment at Our Lady of Bethesda Retreat Center in Maryland in June. Fr. Daniel brings efficiency and humility

as well as his diverse life background to the Patrons. After his first few weeks, Ami asked him to share some of his experiences and insights with us:

Q: Fr. Daniel, could you describe some aspects of your past

assignments that may have significantly impacted your life? A: My first assignment before I was ordained priest was in Caracas, Venezuela. In my 4 years there, I learned the world was not so small after all; the people were wonderful, working for the same common good, responding with true heroism in the face of complete political and social turmoil brought on by the regime of Hugo Chavez.

Studying theology in Rome, I observed how Italians are able to relativize politics and pretty much everything else in order to enjoy the beauty that life has to offer. Now I’m back in this special place where the Apostles Peter and Paul and so many Martyrs have given witness to their faith. Rome is where many layers of Ancient and Christian history collide and the aspirations of the individual human heart shine forth in the city’s art, architecture, and everyday life.

Getting To Know The Patrons’ Incoming International Director Fr. Daniel Hennessy!

Fr. Daniel Hennessycontinued on page 6

Next EventVatican Splendors

A Journey Through Faith and Art, followed by drinks and dinner

Ronald Reagan Presidential LibraryThe California Patrons are sponsoring this wonderful

Exhibition at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. This complimentary special event, along with drinks and dinner in the new Caruso Theater, is limited to 100 current Patrons and there is a waiting list to attend.

CALIFORNIA PATRONS OF THE ARTS IN THE

VATICAN MUSEUMS

2 • March 2016 CALIFORNIA PATRONS OF THE ARTS IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS

Michael Scott Feeley, Chairman • [email protected] • 213-891-7895Monica M. Lomenzo, Coordinator • [email protected]

California Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums301 N. Lake Ave., Suite 900, Pasadena, CA 91101

The California Patrons are sponsoring the first ever exhibition on the life of the Swiss

Guards. Taking its title from the Guard’s motto, “Acriter Fideliter” (which means Fiercely and Faithfully), the Exhibition will be displayed in the Cortille Delle Corazze of the Vatican Museums, beginning on April 1, 2016. A project of our beloved Dr. Romina Cometti of the Patrons Office, the photographic images will be supplemented with extensive explanatory panels as well as examples of uniforms, armor, and weapons.

The Swiss Guard is woven into the tapestry of Vatican life and lore. These colorful protectors of the Pope add to the pageantry of the center of Christendom; however, these dedicated men are much more than a picturesque detail of a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica. Theirs is a deadly serious mission of guarding the Holy Father and facilitating his outreach across the globe. The Swiss Guard participate fully in the universal work of the Church, supporting the Bishop of Rome’s service

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CALIFORNIA PATRONS OF THE ARTS IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS March 2016 • 3

to the faithful of the world.The Acriter et Fideliter Exhibition

goes beyond the public perception of the Swiss Guard. It delves into the daily life of these men, offering insights into the ordinary rhythms of their days as well as the unique aspects of their particular vocation as the Pope’s protectors. Contemporary photographer Fabio Mantegna took full advantage of his privileged access to both the private and public world of the Guard. Romina’s carefully curated pieces offer a rare look into the individuals who continue the celebrated tradition of the Swiss Guard in the present day. This Exhibition pulls back the curtain to provide a fascinating glimpse into a five hundred year old institution composed of flesh and blood human beings who have made a personal choice to serve the Church in a distinctive way.

The California Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums are drawn to support the Exhibition precisely because it reveals the humanity of the Swiss Guard while placing them in the context of their mission to ensure that the Pope can robustly perform his ministry. These men are not merely plumed extras in a Roman play, providing vivid background for a visit to the Vatican; they are real people

living out a vocation of service to the Church, with all the complexities inherent in the human experience. This Exhibition observes the men behind the myth, the people behind the public persona. The California Patrons are delighted to support the artists and curators in creating such an opportunity for all of us to peak behind the storied image and gain a deeper insight into the men who are the Swiss Guards and their fundamental part in the Petrine ministry.

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Patrons Admire Woven Goldby Ann Lawrence Athey

On January 31, 2016, some sixty Patrons gathered at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles for

our first event of the year. Members braved wind and rain to arrive at the Getty, but the sun appeared as we began our guided tour of “WOVEN GOLD: TAPESTRIES OF LOUIS XIV.” The tapestries arrived at the Getty on loan from the French state and showcased colorful, glittering tapestries created for the French royal court. Created in workshops across Europe, these handwoven monumental hangings express the status, power, wealth and taste of their patron and collector, French King Louis XIV. Eleven of the fifteen tapestries had never been shown in the United States. Our tour guide helped us appreciate not only the sheer beauty and opulence of the tapestries but the historical significance of their storytelling ability and the progression of religious ideals and maturity from paganism over time.

The grey weather helped to transport us back to a time of castles and kings with grand halls and tapestries laced with gold adorning the walls. You can imagine the 15 at the Getty as compared to the more than 2,250 that Louis may commissioned during his reign.

Karen and Ken Miller, Chris Cooper, Mark McDonald, and Ben Dalby

Richard Van Meter, Bob Maculsay, and Roger Chaix

Karen Dalby and Nancy Cooper

Kelly Behrens, Bob Tusquellas, Josef Behrens, and Reinhard Behrens

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Patrons Admire Woven GoldLouis became the King of France

before he turned five and when he assumed the throne as Louis XIV in 1661, he used tapestries as one of many methods to exemplify his opulence. A walk through the halls of the exhibition showed us with splendid pomp and circumstance, that big and elaborately woven tapestries were one useful tool.

Tapestries were hugely expensive to produce, especially when threads of wool and silk were wrapped in gold and silver, itself a sign of power. Precious metals produce a vivacious, humbling shimmer across the lush and colorful pictorial expanse, whether illuminated by sunshine or candlelight. Then imagine that despite being 22 – 25 feet wide, these were portable tapestries that were rolled or folded up, piled atop wagons and transported to a summer palace, hermitage or country house whenever the court took up temporary residence elsewhere. These works of art were commanding emblems of unequivocal power and wealth.

The show’s first tapestry, and perhaps its most beautiful, is from a design by Raphael. Behind a row of sea birds on the shore at Galilee, five energetic

men in a pair of small fishing boats take an unbelievable haul in their nets. Jesus, seated serenely in the prow, raises his hand in benediction, and Peter kneels in insistent supplication. Raphael composed this scene of religiously ordained abundance as if it were a carved relief on an ancient Roman frieze — a wall of marble antiquity brought to life in living color. The pagan world is subsumed into the design’s Christian universe, with carefully observed plants and animals from nature’s orderly realm given pride of place. Even the precise, vaporous reflections in the water record the optical distortions of events unfolding above. This is creation as it is supposed to be, closely observed and wondrous.

As we exited the exhibition hall and returned to reality, we were whisked to a private room for wine and bites courtesy of fellow Patrons, Nancy and Chris Cooper. A wonderful and relaxing time ensued as we enjoyed the company of our friends.

Reception Sponsors Chris and Nancy Cooper

Kathleen McCarthy Kostlan and Lois Erburu

Patrons admiring the Snowy Mountain Views from the Private Room at the Getty

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Most recently, I enjoyed serving God’s people in Philadelphia for seven years, preaching and celebrating the sacraments, giving one-on-one spiritual direction, and working with small groups focused on faith formation and the new evangelization.

Q: What insights have you gained from living abroad?A: In 11 years abroad, I learned the cultures and languages of Venezuela and Italy, which broadened my world perspective and opened up a new one regarding what is really important in life. This, in turn, enabled me to appreciate the value of my own American culture and how it fits into the tapestry of the many cultures throughout the world.

Q: What do you think is most important in life, and how do you see this manifest within the mission of the Patrons?A: The most important things are the values of the human heart: in essence, to love and be loved – especially in a relationship with God – and to live with a strong sense of purpose. I have found these desires in all people I have met—from the natives who live on the banks of the Orinoco River to the wealthiest and most privileged of New York to the most cultured and educated here in the Vatican Museums and so many others – believers and non-believers alike.

The Vatican Museums visually relay these same principles. The great works of art and the monuments of history that have passed the test of time bear witness to these values for which

life is worth living.

Q: What are you most excited about now that you will be directing the Patrons?A: I am grateful that I work with so many wonderful people! From the staff here in the Patrons Office to the directive team of the Vatican Museums, to the many personalities amongst the Patrons’ Chapters world-wide, we have a great group.

I look forward to adding my little grain of sand to the perennial effort of preserving and furthering

human culture and authentic human values.

Q: What challenges do you foresee?A: Filling the shoes of Fr. Mark is a daunting task, indeed. In the short time I have been here I have seen how much he accomplished and how he is appreciated by those in the Museums and by the Patrons themselves. I think the most important challenge for every

International Director from page 1

Not Just a Fisher of Men

organization is that of maintaining and strengthening the clarity of vision of its mission and purpose, and then to communicate that effectively. The Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums have a very important role to play, and I am excited to be a part of that.

Father Daniel hopes to maintain vitality and energy amongst the community of the Patrons. He is thrilled to meet people of all backgrounds and cultures. Fr. Daniel does, of course, enjoy every opportunity to sneak a moment of serenity, and more so if it involves fly-fishing on a trout stream. Rest assured of his prayers and dedication to you all as he assumes his new role full-time in June 2016.

Fr. Daniel at St. Peter’s Basilica


A New Laser For The Vatican Restoration Lab

The California Patrons partnered with

Olessa Kantor of the Italian Patrons in the acquisition of another EOS Syntesis portable laser. Laser technology is very popular with the Vatican restorers as one of the most selective and non-destructive tools available. It can be used to clean paper, metal, wood, stone, wall paintings, and stucco. The instrument can work on very degraded substrata without having to pre-consolidate the object. The restorer enjoys great control and precision. This particular laser allows restorers to tune the pulse duration by nanoseconds to hundredths of a nanosecond to microseconds. Since the laser is portable, it is easy to transport and fits in most areas of the Museums and laboratories. Consequently, the laser is in great demand and projects can be delayed waiting for the laser to be available. By providing an additional laser to the Vatican Restoration Labs, we are able to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the experts’ work.

A few years ago, the California Patrons sponsored the restoration of a celestial globe and a terrestrial globe each created in the XVIIth century by the famous Dutch cartographer Willem Janszoon Blaeuw (1571-1638). Dr. Chiara Fornaciari of the Vatican Paper Restoration Laboratory painstakingly cleaned the papier-mache with the aid

of the laser. Laser technology had not previously been employed to clean paper. The Vatican Labs pioneering efforts have inspired restorers around the world to adopt Dr. Fornaciari’s application of laser technology for paper. Many California Patrons had the pleasure of touring the restoration labs and seeing Dr. Fornaciari’s ground-breaking work on cleaning the globes with the laser. We also became aware of the need for additional lasers for use in a wide variety of restorations across media. We are delighted to team with fellow Italian Patrons to provide a new laser to the Museums.

Restorer using the laser to clean stucco

CALIFORNIA PATRONS OF THE ARTS IN THE

VATICAN MUSEUMS

301 N. Lake Ave., Suite 900Pasadena, CA 91101Return Service Requested

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