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The Latest News March 2010 At the invitation of Archbishop Nienstedt, the MN/ND Chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums and The Basilica of Saint Mary, Giovanni Cardinal Lajolo, President of the Governatorato of Vatican City State and of the Vatican Museums will be visiting the Twin Cities in June of 2010. A longtime church diplomat, Pope Benedict XVI named then Archbishop Lajolo to this position in 2006. Three years later archbishop Lajolo was created a Cardinal by His Holiness. Among his many responsibilitie as president of the Governatorato, His Eminence also oversees the work of the Vatican Museums. It is in this position that he will be visiting MN. His visit coincides with the beginning of the celebrations of the 10th anniversary of the MN/ND chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums. The Cardinal is grateful for all the precious art and artifacts in the museums that have been restored thanks to the generosity of people from MN and ND, and he is looking forward to our continued and expanded support. The Cardinal’s calendar will be quite filled when he is in the Twin Cities June 3-6, 2010. There will be public and private events. One of the highlights of his visit will be a public lecture on the history and the work of the Vatican Museums. This lecture will be co-sponsored by the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and will be held in the Museums auditorium. Dr. Kaywin Feldman, director and president of the MIA says that “the Minneapolis Institute of Arts is delighted to collaborate with The Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums and The Basilica of Saint Mary in offering this timely lecture by His Eminence Giovanni Cardinal Lajolo. The Vatican Museums contain some of humanity's greatest treasures. His Eminence's lecture promises to be insightful and stimulating for our museum-loving community in the Twin Cities.” This lecture will be open to the public at a nominal cost. Another highlight will be the 9:30am Solemn Mass for the feast of Corpus Christi celebrated by His Eminence at The Basilica of Saint Mary on Sunday June 6. The Cathedral Choir and select other musicians will provide the music, and a reception will follow. Click here for the full schedule of events and an invitation to attend. December 2009 The “Via Crucis” by Gaetano Previati has been announced as the new project to be adopted by the MN/ND Patrons. Representing the fourteen Stations of the Cross this series of fourteen paintings is in great need of restorations. Restoration of each painting costs $ 1,500 dollars. Eight of the Stations have already been adopted by individual patrons for restoration in honor of loved ones. We are looking for seven more people to adopt one of the Stations. A first payment has been made to The Vatican so the work can begin. Learn more about this project by clicking here. January 2009 The exhibit “Vatican Splendors” held in the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul this past fall was a great success. With more than 100.000 people visiting the exhibit it became the best attended exhibit ever held in this venue. People from all over the state and neighboring states were introduced to the riches of the Vatican collections and the Catholic Church. Two pieces that had been restored by MN/ND Patrons were part of the exhibit. Johan van Parys, our chair gave several interviews on the work of the Patrons in the wake of this exhibit. View a newscast about the exhibit here. November 2008 Cardinal Lajolo Gathers Patrons Leaders Giovanni Cardinal Lajolo, Governor of Vatican City State, is presiding over a meeting of the leaders of the fifteen United States chapters of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums in Los Angeles, California, November 6th through 8th. The Minnesota and North Dakota Chapter Raises over $10,000 for a New Art Restoration Project On Friday, October 17th 2008, the Minnesota and North Dakota chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums raised over $10,000 toward the restoration of a new project dedicated to the memory of the parents of Dr. Johan van Parys. The funds raised will go toward the creation of a new restoration laboratory. The next fundraising event to benefit this cause will take place at the Annual Patrons Dinner on December 4th, 2008, and we hope to complete this project within the next two years. September 2008 Vatican Arts Exhibit in St. Paul An exhibit of Vatican art and artifacts is on display at the Minnesota History Center September 26th through January 11th, 2008. This exciting exhibit features actual art pieces restored by the Minnesota and North Dakota chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums. You can purchase tickets by visiting the official Vatican Splendors website. August 2008 Another Project Completed The MN/ND Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums is announcing that they will complete payment for the restoration of the marble chimney in the Room of the Mysteries in the Borgia Apartments. This last payment for the restoration will be presented to Father Mark Haydu, International Director of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums during the Chapter’s sixth annual trip to the Vatican (Sept 26-Oct. 2, 2008). July 2008 Announcing Our Official Website The Minnesota and North Dakota Chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums is proud to launch their official website, which will be the up-to-date resource for information about all the events, projects, and trips we are currently planning. Check back often for updates, and expect more exciting website features and online materials to be added in the coming months. May 2007 Announcing Our Official Website In May 2007, Johan van Parys, chair of the MN/ND Chapter and Mark Wyss, former secretary were among a handful invited guests when Pope Benedict XVI made an official visit to the Governatorato on the Vatican to dedicate a new organ. Read more about the exciting meeting.