Memorial Hall Exhibit -- Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C.

Destination: An exhibit currently on display in Washington offers a moving portrait of the courage of Catholic journalists during the era of Soviet persecution in Eastern Europe, along with a potent message of faith and resistance to tyranny that has relevance in today’s world. 

The Embassy of Lithuania is presenting an exhibit on “The Chronicle of the Catholic Church in Lithuania,” currently on display in the Memorial Hall of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception through early September.

Masses are held daily at the basilica, and a full list of times is available at https://www.nationalshrine.org/

Photos: Top -- The information in the exhibit is displayed on tall banners with large text, historical photos and bold illustrations. (CNS photos/Tyler Orsburn)
Below -- A visitor looks at some historical photos on display.  

Why to go: The exhibit tells the story of The Chronicle newspaper and the priests, nuns and lay people who risked their freedom to publish about the Church during the Communist era.

The Chronicle was the longest-running “samizdat,” or clandestine, publication of its kind in Lithuania.  

For 17 years the paper was a way to get  information to people in the West about the conditions affecting the Catholic Church. 

During the Communist era, Catholics suffered many atrocities. Churches were closed, clergy were prohibited from practicing key elements of the faith, religious education was forbidden, and many religious were arrested and imprisoned.

Admission: Free. 

Accessibility: The basilica is wheelchair-accessible, and disability parking is available in two of the basilica’s lots.  

(Grand) Kid friendly: The exhibit might be too complicated or heavy for young ones, but since the exhibit is free, it may be worth a quick visit. Depending on their age, you could talk with them about how they would feel if they couldn’t learn about their faith in school to help them understand the reason for the publication. Then you could follow up the trip with something more their speed. 

Info: Address — Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave. Northeast, Washington, D.C. 20017
Phone — 202-526-8300
Website — https://www.nationalshrine.org/

— Christina Lee Knauss, Catholic News Service. 
Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe At Marytown -- Libertyville, Ill.

Destination: The Observer featured the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe in a Destinations article Oct. 3, 2008, but since one of our editors visited recently, we thought it could be time for a refresher. 

The shrine is run by Conventual Franciscan Friars consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The area is also home to the National Center for the Militia of the Immaculata and the Kolbe Holocaust Exhibit. 

Mass is held at the shrine at 10 a.m. (English) and 6 p.m. (English and Spanish), Monday-Friday; noon, Saturday; and 9 and 11 a.m. (English), Sunday. 

Photo: Above -- A visitor prays in Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at the national shrine. (Observer photos/ Amanda Hudson)
Below -- A photo in the Kolbe Holocaust exhibit depicts a carving of Jesus on the cell wall of Auschwitz, made by a fellow prisoner of St. Maximilian Kolbe. 

Why to go: Marytown frequently hosts events, including retreats, touring exhibits and more. Moreover, the bulletin we picked up announced 2022's class dates for consecration preparation. These classes offer opportunities for preparing for consecration to Mary and becoming part of the worldwide Militia of the Immaculata movement, connecting in part to St. Maximilian Kolbe’s great devotion to Mary. 

The classes will be held Aug. 6 and Nov. 12, 9-10:30 a.m., in Founders Hall. These are free, and are not a series. To register, call Deacon Tom Gaida at 847-367-7800 ext. 246 or email tom@KolbeShrine.org

Accessibility: The shrine is accessible to those with limited mobility. Parking is free.  

(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course! All ages are welcome. The shrine has plenty both inside and outside for young ones to explore. 

Info: Address — National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe, 1600 W. Park Ave., Libertyville, IL 60048
Phone — 847-367-7800
Website — https://kolbeshrine.org/

— Megan Peterson compiled this story with information provided by Amanda Hudson. 

Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

New York Public Library’s “Treasures” Exhibit -- New York City, N.Y.

Destination: Among pop culture gems like a hand-painted ballet slipper designed by Coco Chanel and historical artifacts like Thomas Jefferson’s handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence is a book written by a nun. 

It’s a rare edition of a 17th-century book written by a Catholic poet, philosopher and dramatist, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. The library’s digital gallery explains that she “is among Mexico’s most significant literary figures.” The book is “considered her most important collection” and the library’s 1692 first edition on display is “exceedingly rare, with only six copies known to exist,” the library said.  

Photo: Top -- A visitor glances at one of the items in the “Belief” section of the New York Public Library’s “Treasures” collection at its flagship branch in New York City Dec. 29, 2021. (CNS photos/Rhina Guidos)
Below -- A rare edition of a book written by Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, a Catholic poet, philosopher and nun, is on display. 

Why to go: Along with Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz’s book, the exhibit includes a 15th-century breviary, a document from 1600 describing Our Lady of Guadalupe and a 1470 engraving by Martin Schongauer featuring St. Anthony, a 4th-century Coptic hermit. The religious items are grouped with other objects related to various faiths in a section called “Belief.”

Though the exhibit is free, visitors must get a timed ticket at the library. Shortages due to rises in COVID-19 cases may limit hours or whether the building opens.

The exhibit is accessible online at www.nypl.org/events/exhibitions/galleries/belief

Accessibility: All public service units of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building are wheelchair accessible. There is a ramp entrance to the building and all its levels are accessible by elevator. Large print label text is available upon request. The Treasures audio guide is accessible in English, Spanish, and English with verbal descriptions. 

(Grand) Kid friendly: All ages are welcome. 

Info: Address — Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, 476 5th Ave. (at 42nd St.), New York, NY 10018
Phone — 917-275-6975    
Website — https://www.nypl.org/spotlight/treasures

— Rhina Guidos, Catholic News Service

Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Medieval Art Exhibit -- Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, Md.

(CNS photo/courtesy Museum Boijmans Van
Beuningen, Rotterdam/Studio Tromp, Rotterdam)

Destination: A 500-year-old oil painting of “The Glorification of the Virgin” (left) now on display at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore is inspired by John’s apocalyptic vision of a woman “clothed with the sun.” The painting is part of a new exhibit, “A Feast for the Senses: Art and Experience in Medieval Europe,” at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore.
Masses are offered at several churches in the area. To find one that best fits your schedule, check https://masstimes.org.
Why to go: “The Glorification of the Virgin” by Geertgen tot Sint Jans of the Netherlands, is half of a diptych on loan from the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
A 15th century German censer features intersecting raised bands that mimic the complex vaulting systems used in late Gothic churches, and openwork areas reminiscent of the tracery found in the windows of these buildings.
They are just two of more than 100 works of stained glass, precious metals, ivories, tapestries, paintings, prints and illuminated manuscripts from 25 collections in the U.S. and around the world.
The free exhibition is at the Walters Art Museum through Jan. 8, 2017. It was organized by the Walters in partnership with the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Fla., where it will be on display Feb. 4 through April 20.
Because the museum is in three adjacent buildings, check the website (below) for parking and visitor information.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Museums are always kid friendly.
Info: Address —  The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone — 410-547-9000
Website — http://thewalters.org
— CNS; Sharon Boehlefeld contributed to this story.
Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

St. Thomas More Exhibit -- St. John Paul II National Shrine, Washington, D.C.

(CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn)

Destination: An exhibit featuring artifacts revolving around St. Thomas More has opened at the St. John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C. Titled “God’s Servant First: The Life and Legacy of Thomas More,” the exhibit runs through March 31, 2017. The title comes from what are believed to be More’s last words before he was beheaded: “I die the king’s good servant, and God’s servant first.”
Masses are offered at the shrine Monday through Saturday, 12 noon (preceded by the Angelus); and Sunday, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Photo: A display depicting the 1535 execution of St. Thomas More by Henry VIII is seen at the St. John Paul II National Shrine in Washington Sept. 15. An exhibit of artifacts associated with the saint be open daily at the shrine until March 31, 2017. Why to go: St. Thomas More, a lawyer and the first layman to serve as chancellor of England, had balked at helping Henry VIII obtain an annulment so he could marry Anne Boleyn. After the pope denied the annulment, Henry declared himself head of the church in England, conferring upon himself the power to divorce and marry whomever he pleased.  More resigned his position as chancellor to the throne to avoid being forced to acknowledge Henry VIII as head of the church. More also refused to sign a document acknowledging Henry’s authority. His actions led to his beheading. He has since been seen as a champion of conscience rights.
Nearly all of the 60 or so items in the exhibit come from Stonyhurst College in England, according to Jan Graffius, the curator of collections at Stonyhurst, a Jesuit institution. The Knights of Columbus and Stonyhurst’s Christian Heritage Center organized the exhibit and are its sponsors.
The exhibit comes during the golden anniversary of the 1966 film biography of St. Thomas More, “A Man for All Seasons.” The movie was nominated for eight Oscars and won six, including Best Picture. It also won five British Academy Film Awards and four Golden Globes, as well as a Best Actor award for Scofield at the Moscow International Film Festival.
(Grand) Kid friendly: As a regular stop on the Rockford Diocese’s March for Life pilgrimage, the St. John Paul II shrine has welcomed  — and impressed — many young people.
Info: Address — St. John Paul II National Shrine, 3900 Harewood Road NE, Washington, DC 20017 n Phone — 202/635-5400 n Website — www.jp2shrine.org
— Mark Pattison,  CNS
Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org