CBS Sunday Morning video screengrab / YouTube
Cardinal Timothy Dolan led a ceremony Sept. 18 at New York City’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral, unveiling a mural that honors Our Lady of Knock, Catholic saints, the city’s law enforcement, and immigrants.
The 25-foot-tall mural spans several walls, making it the largest permanent artwork commissioned in the Church’s 146-year history, according to The Good News Room. In his remarks at the unveiling, Cardinal Dolan explained that plans for the mural shifted as it came closer to fruition.
“This became not only an ode to Jesus and Mary and Joseph and St. John and the faith of the Irish people who were so instrumental in this archdiocese, it also became an ode to those who followed them and found in this city, this country, and yes, in this Holy Mother Church, an embrace of welcome,” the Cardinal said, according to The Good News Room.
Artist Adam Cvijanovic painted the mural, which is titled “What’s So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding.” Located between the entrance and exit of the cathedral, Dolan said that six million tourists will see the mural each year, according to Hyperallergic.
Cardinal Dolan said that he had long wanted a work of art in the cathedral to honor when the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, Saint John the Evangelist, angels, and Jesus Christ in the form of a Lamb appeared to 15 people in Knock, Ireland. The apparition, Cardinal Dolan observed, occurred the same year as the cathedral was dedicated.
One panel of the mural depicts law enforcement officers and first responders. The mural also depicts immigrants in both historical and contemporary garb, and among them are holy men and women including Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Servant of God Dorothy Day, and Venerable Félix Varela y Morales.
“Some have asked me, ‘Are you trying to make a statement about immigration?’” Cardinal Dolan told the onlookers, according to Hyperallergic. “Surely, mainly that immigrants are children of God.”
Father Enrique Salvo, rector of the Cathedral and an immigrant from Nicaragua, expressed his joy at the unveiling of the mural.
“If you would have told me that I was going to be the rector of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, when I came to this country, I would have never believed it,” said Fr. Salvo, according to The Good News Room. “But with God, all things are possible, and hopefully it’s an inspiration for everyone that walks in, that we’re not only welcome, but we’re also invited to make a difference and to let God shine through us.”
>> Wisconsin Catholic school names playground after St Carlo Acutis <<
