Society and Religion

Written on November 10, 2008 – 11:06 pm | by admin |

The world’s first papal exhibit outside of the Vatican will open to the public on Tuesday, November 25. A private Ceremony of Blessing offered by Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese will be held on November 23 at 6:30 p.m. Roberto Consorsi, one of the Pope’s personal tailors, will attend the grand opening ceremony in addition to leaders of all faiths and city officials.

The 5,000 square foot exhibit, “Celebrating the Lives and Deaths of a Pope,” commemorates the rituals by which popes have been elected and buried over the last 2,000 years. A product of three years of intense collaboration between the Vatican and the National Museum of Funeral History, the exhibit features three-dimensional scenes, premium sound and lighting, audio and visual multi-media presentations as well as written details in both English and Spanish.

Bob Boetticher, president and vice chairman of the National Museum of Funeral History, cites many examples of the close cooperation between Rome and the museum. Exact replicas of papal vestments were reproduced by V. Gammarelli Tailor Shop, the firm that has made all vestments for the last seven popes. Mastercraft Casket Company built an exact full-scale replica of the coffin used in papal funerals. The Swiss Guard, responsible for the pope’s personal security and protection of the Vatican, donated two authentic uniforms to enhance the exhibit. The exhibit also includes an authentic, full-scale replica of Pope John Paul II’s crypt, actual vestments worn by the pontiff and the Popemobile used during his visit to the United Kingdom.

Two members of the museum’s Board of Regents were involved in the project. Reverend Monsignor Kevin C. McCoy, former Rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome and immediate past executive director of its capital campaign and Gregory C. Jewell, Lay Chairman Emeritus, of the fund
raising effort for the Pontifical North American College in Rome. Jewell explained that “none of this would be possible without the support of Cardinal DiNardo.”

Founded in 1992, The National Museum of Funeral History is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization. Internationally recognized as the largest collector of funeral memorabilia, its mission is to educate the public and preserve the rich history and heritage of funeral service worldwide. The museum accepts monetary donations.