Sister Raffaella Petrini, FSE, secretary general of the Governorate Vatican City State, made a whirlwind visit to the diocese recently to visit with members of the Ohio Chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums. She also viewed a mural, “Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament and the Communion of Saints” -- more than a decade in the making – that was painted by Mother Mary Thomas, PCPA, at the Conversion of St. Paul Shrine in Cleveland. The mural was featured in the first issue of Northeast Ohio Catholic magazine in October 2015.
Lorraine Dodero, chair of the Ohio Chapter since its 2005 inception and newly named president of PAVM board, hosted Sister Petrini during her visit, which included a private dinner on April 29 attended by about 120 people, including Bishop Edward Malesic and Father Dan Schlegel, diocesan vicar for clergy and religious who also serves as the Ohio Chapter PAVM chaplain.
(See photo gallery above for pictures from the April 29 and 30 events.)
There are 14 PAVM chapters in the United States, Dodero said, as well as chapters in Canada, Europe and the Holy Land. The group was founded in 1983. Ohio has the largest chapter with nearly 300 members.
Dodero said about 28,000 people visit the museums daily. Even with reservations, the wait can be two or more hours. One perk of membership in PAVM is having a private tour guide when visiting the museums.
About 42 members of the local PAVM will accompany her to Rome in November to celebrate the organization’s 40th anniversary.
“We have a passion for the restoration of art,” Dodero said, referencing the countless, priceless pieces in the Vatican museums. These include paintings, frescoes, tapestries, mosaics, statues, porcelain works, artifacts from various countries, etc. Some items were gifted to popes over the years and are housed in the museums. There is even a museum of carriages and cars that used to carry the popes, she said.
Each year, museum curators develop a “Wishbook” of pieces needing restoration and cleaning. Prices can range from hundreds to many thousands of dollars, depending on the size and scope of the project. Chapters, groups or individuals can take on the responsibility for a project that could take many years to complete. A plaque noting who financed the restoration is placed with the piece when the work is finished.
“Many of our members may not be able to afford a visit to Rome and the museums, but they have a love of art, God and religion so they are able to help support the museums and restoration projects,” she added. “Your PAVM dues help pay for these projects.”
Thanks to the PAVM, Dodero said the museums can stretch the budget and allocate funds for causes other than restoration.
Dodero said there is one large Vatican Museum in the city state and about a dozen total museums in the area. The museum stands alone under the umbrella of the city state, which is where Sister Petrini is involved. In her role, she oversees the museums and PAVM. Pope Francis appointed her to the city state position in 2021. She is the highest-ranking woman in the city state and oversees the museums, post office, police force and other entities.
A Rome native, Sister Petrini worked in the Vatican before discerning her vocation as a professed member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. She also was appointed by the pope in July 2022 to the Vatican Dicastery for Bishops, one of the first three women named to the body that helps the pope select bishops.
“I am here as a presence to thank the chapter and Lorraine for the work you do,” she said.
Sister Petrini briefly explained the operation of the Vatican City State, noting it became independent of Italy in 1929. At about a half-square kilometer (about 121 acres), it has about 450 residents and is the smallest country in the world. About 700 people work for the museums and about 2,000 for the city state, she said, most of whom are lay people.
“It’s a tiny, but complex operation with seven main departments overseen by the governor, a Spanish cardinal who has worked 58 years in the Vatican.
She credited PAVM with playing an important role in preserving the countless treasures in the museums. “Your work is crucial,” she said. “I assure you of my prayers. I pray regularly for you and for your families. It is an honor for me to be here. You are doing your piece to help rebuild the Church.”
The bishop thanked Dodero for her many philanthropic works in the diocese and beyond, noting her continuing involvement in raising funds for Catholic education.
“Lorraine is a woman of character and she understands the need,” he said. “I am so proud to be here. We try to do our best for Christ and Lorraine is an important part of that.” He noted that while visiting Rome in March with a group from Saint Mary Seminary, they had a private audience with Pope Francis and he had a private tour of the museum. “I got to see the important work you do to keep these beautiful pieces preserved. You do a great service to the world -- not just the Church.”
Father Schlegel, who celebrated his birthday that day, said it was an honor for him to be there with Sister Petrini and the PAVM. “The arts are a vehicle to convey God’s love to the world. People are moved by a deep sense of faith when they see these works.” He urged the group to “Be who God created you to be and you’ll set the world on fire with the power of God’s grace. The world needs to be set on fire with the arts, music and faith.”
After dinner and the brief program, local recording artist Ashley Nemeh sang “Ave Maria” for Sister Petrini and the group sang “Happy Birthday” to Father Schlegel.
The following day – April 30 – some of the group attended Mass at the Conversion of St. Paul Shrine and had a chance to view the mural, which is on the floor in a second-floor chapel of the shrine. The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration have been in Cleveland since 1921 and the adoration monastery was founded in 1931.
Mother Mary Thomas’ mural originally was commissioned by a parish in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. However, the parish closed. She adapted the painting and efforts are underway to find a permanent home for it.
She trained with the Mexican muralists and those influences can be seen in her work.
Learn more about PAVM here. Click here to learn more about the Poor Clares. Details about Mother Mary Thomas’ art are available here.