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An Eye on the Vatican Museums: Seeing the Miracle of Art

March 2016

One of our International Patrons, Dr. David A. Sullivan, of Harvard Medical School and Schepens Eye Research Institute, who has been a Patron since our inception in 2012, recently proposed a wonderful idea that will help grow our Chapter and develop relationships with Catholic Universities and Schools. This initiative will enrich Catholic students and help grow support for the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums.

With the Italian & International Patrons’ mission in mind, Dr. Sullivan, an alumnus of Matignon, an independent and co-educational Catholic high school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, proposed that we pose a question to all Matignon Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors - who will be asked the following: “Why is it important for the visually impaired to “see” the art in the Vatican Museums?”

Students will answer this question with a 250-300 word essay (or poem). The answer must be original (i.e. their thoughts, not downloaded from the internet). This project is an inspiring motivation for Catholic students and their parents, who will learn about the Patrons of the Arts and the art access projects in the Museums. Two students will be selected, one male and one female. This initiative will also address the mission of Matignon, which is committed to the achievement of academic excellence. The students’ award will be a special, private guided Patrons tour through the Vatican Museums, and a particular focus on the visually impaired multi-sensory exhibit.

Within one month after their return, the Matignon students will be required to write a 250 to 300 word report of their experience, and to include their view of the efforts made by the Patrons in making art available to the visually impaired. If this initiative is successful, another Patrons’ initiative such as this one may occur in 2017, and focus on a new project in the Vatican Museums. Eventually, this could be expanded to many other Catholic schools.