Cardinal Cupich leads the Illinois Chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums’ visit to the Vatican
The restoration of tunic, a treasure of the Sancta Sanctorum
A generous new contribution from the Illinois Chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums has permitted the restoration of a tunic of the Sancta Sanctorum, which held the most ‘sacred’ relics of Christianity.
The inauguration ceremony of the restoration took place on Wednesday evening, 22 January, in the Vatican Museum’s Sala degli Indirizzi (Room of Tributes), where the tunic was displayed.
The ceremony was attended by Cardinal Blase Joseph Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Governorate, Monsignor Terence Hogan, Coordinator of the Office for Relations with the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums, and Ms. Barbara Jatta, Director of the Directorate of Museums and Cultural Heritage. The delegation from the Illinois Chapter was led by Anne Shea.
Before the visit, Monsignor Hogan had presided over a Eucharistic concelebration in the Governorate’s Church of Mary, Mother of the Family.
The tunic, dating from the 6th to the 8th century AD, is known as a “dalmatica minor” and appears to be of Eastern origin. Made from linen, with the lower part of the sleeves in silk, the tunic is a valuable artifact, both because it is a rare example to have survived from the ancient world and because of its origins. In fact, along with a second previously restored tunic on display, it was part of the famous treasures of the Sancta Sanctorum and was kept beneath the altar of the Chapel of the Sancta Sanctorum in the Lateran Palace. The treasures were brought to the Vatican at the beginning of the 20th century to be examined and displayed, and only a few relics were returned to the Chapel.
The restoration began with the opening of the glass and wooden case and the disinfestation of the tunic. The tunic was subjected to graphic and photographic examination and samples of the material were taken for chemical analysis. Micro-samples were collected from both the front and back, old restoration works were removed and steam was used to reshape the tunic. The supporting thread and stitching were then dyed, and all torn areas of the fabric were reinforced.
The restoration of the tunic was funded by the Illinois Chapter in collaboration with Catholic Extension, a national fundraising organization that supports and strengthens poor missionary dioceses across the United States of America.
