Catch This While You Can

A reminder that the City of Milwaukee has a lot to offer and is just a short drive from Lake Koshkonong...

The Milwaukee Public Museum invites you to explore the Vatican's extraordinary collections of art and historical objects, many never publicly displayed. Trace 2,000 years of church leadership from Saint Peter to Pope John Paul II in Saint Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of the Popes, presented by The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, Feb. 4-May 7, 2006.

Presented in collaboration with the Milwaukee Archdiocese, the exhibition's Milwaukee showing is the last of three North American stops. It is the only Midwest stop and last U.S. venue.

The exhibition brings together more than 300 works of art from the permanent collections of the Vatican museums. Historic sculptures, paintings and other objects tell the story of the 264 popes who have headed the Roman Catholic Church, impacted world history and influenced Western civilizations.

Exhibition highlights include a bronze cast of the hand of Pope John Paul II, his pastoral staff and other personal objects. From culture to history to art, explore the impact of the papacy throughout the centuries.

Other historic objects include:

• A reproduction of the Tomb of Saint Peter
• The Mandylion of Edessa, a third- to fifth-century image on linen considered the oldest known representation of Jesus
• The Papa Tiara of Pope Pius IX, the symbol of the papacy, made of silver, gold, pearls and diamonds, emeralds and other precious stones
• A 16th-century chalice encrusted with pearls, rock crystal, silver gilt and enamel
• The first known map of Australia
• A Buddhist Thanka of embroidered cloth and pearls, presented by the Dalai Lama as a gift to John Paul II.

I like this:

Vatican Exhibition Excitement Spreading Through North America

Occasionally, and more like once in lifetime, Catholics can experience all the beauty and treasures of the Vatican without leaving North America. For those interested in seeing a huge exhibition of Vatican art, documents and historical objects without blowing a vacation budget on a trip to the Vatican, Saint Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of the Popes exhibition, one of the world’s largest collection, is touring North America right now. Those on the East Coast can see this wonderful exhibition in Montreal at the Basilica de Notre Dame. For Southerners, San Antonio’s Convention Center will host the exhibit in October of this year. For Midwesterners, the exhibit will come to Milwaukee Public Museum in Wisconsin in February 2006.

Not bad for a dying city, Slide.