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Papal Splendors:
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Thanks to the incredible efforts by the Catharijne Convent's director, Guus van den Hout,100 treasures from the Vatican are on display outside of the holy city for the first time ever. The treasures were collected during the reigns of eleven popes. |
It is the first time the Pope has ever granted permission to show these objects in Europe. The Netherlands is proud to host the honored collection. Usually the objects are kept in the sacristy at the Vatican, which is not open to visitors. The sacristy is where the Pope dresses.
Holland restored it's diocesan hierarchy 150 years ago, after it had been abolished during the reformation. To celebrate the anniversary the Vatican loaned these objects to support this special Jubilee. Guus van den Hout, director of Catharijne Convent, was permitted to personally select seventy objects from the papal sacristy. The rest of the collection was loaned from the Lateran Palace, the Treasures of St. Peter's and the Rome Museum.
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Among the many outstanding pieces of the collection are the tiaras--the Pope's headgear. A particularly beautiful tiara is shaped like an old-fashioned beehive and is decorated with three smaller crowns. Historically, the Pope wore the tiara at his coronation and for some official duties. This practice continued until 1964 when Pope Paul VI abolished the tradition. |
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The spectacular neo-baroque tiara made for Pope Pius IX (1846-1878) contains gold and silver and is inlaid with gemstones. It is this tiara that was used to crown John XXIII in 1958. Other tiaras on display are Leo XIII's (1878-1903) neo-gothic piece and a replica of Pope Paul VI's (1963-1978) tiara described as futuristic in style.
One piece significant to the Netherlands is the 6th century Byzantine crucifix. Tradition incorrectly holds that the Crucifix belonged to the Emperor Constantine, defying the historical timeline given Constantine died three centuries before the Crucifix was made. The Crucifix was brought to the Onze Lieve Vrouwe Church in Maastricht after the fall of Byzantium and remained there until it's disappearance sometime around the turn of the 19th century. It reappeared at the Vatican and was presented to Pope Gregory XVI.
Three pectoral crosses including one that belonged to Pope John XXIII are on display as are Papal garments and Swiss guard uniforms adding to the breadth of the collection of Papal Splendours.
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An exhibition of this nature requires an inordinate amount of preparation and negotiation, taking in this case three years. The theme of the presentation is not only the splendid nature of the items but to reflect on Papal liturgy and liturgy in the world. The exhibition means to illustrate the function of the papacy, both as an institution and to review the historical development of papal ceremonies. Particular emphasis in the organization of Vatican Treasures is to examine the well-known rituals such as the election and coronation of a new Pope - the conclave and the Holy Year, celebrated every 25 years, 2000 being the last occasion.
Papal Splendors: Treasures of the Vatican
Catharijne Convent:
September 11 through January 4, 2004