Vatican Splendors - St. Louis, Missouri

Photos © Cittá del Vaticano

Destination: Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Art and Faith, will be exhibited May 15-Sept. 12 at the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis, Mo. It is one of only three U.S. stops on its 2010 tour.
Why to go: Nearly 200 works of art and other significant objects, many of which have never before left the Vatican, are part of the exhibit.
Archbishop Robert J. Carlson, Archbishop of St. Louis, in a letter to area bishops, noted, “The opportunity to spread the good news of our faith through the educational content of this exhibition is unprecedented. The art objects are presented in recreated environments chronicling our Church’s history from St. Peter the fisherman to Pope Benedict XVI, with special displays celebrating the life and works of the Servant of God, Pope John Paul II.”
Photo shows detail of “The Holy Family with Two Angels,” Bologna, Italy, 16th century oil on canvas from the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Vatican City State.
Hours: Vatican Splendors will be open daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and on Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Special events: A variety of activities are already planned during the exhibit’s stay in St. Louis. For example, on Saturdays and Sundays in May and June, there are string and choral concerts. Most start at 11 a.m. Check the Web site for more activities.
Access: The museum is accessible to the handicapped. With advance arrangements, it also provides sign language interpreters and makes other special arrangments. Call 314/361-9017 for details.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Children are welcome at the museum. If you want to make a visit more educational, download either of the teacher’s guides on the Web site. There is one geared for religious educators and another, with equally interesting information, for public school educators.
Tickets: Prices vary, so check the Web site. Buying timed tickets in advance is a good idea for a show like this. Check for group rates, too.
Info: Address — Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63112-0040. Phone — 877/2VATICAN (282-8122). Web — www.vaticansplendors.com or mohistory.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org