At 8:45 this morning in the Vatican Gardens, near to the Palazzo del Governatorato, in the presence of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, a new statue of Saint Michael the Archangel was unveiled, and the Vatican City State was consecrated to Saint Joseph and Saint Michael the Archangel.
A few moments before the ceremony began, His Holiness, Benedict XVI, having been invited by Pope Francis to be present for this moment of prayer, made his way to the appointed place in the gardens and was greeted with great affection by those present, and by the personnel of the Vatican Governatorato. Pope Francis joined him a few moments later, and the two greeted one another warmly, then stood together for the entire ceremony, taking their places on two thrones which had been placed in front of the statue.
After a brief word of greeting, offered by His Eminence, Giuseppe Cardinal Bertello, President of the Vatican Governatorato, His Eminence Giovanni Cardinal Lajolo, President-emeritus of the Governatorato outlined the significance of the new statue and of the fountain dedicated to Saint Joseph, installed on the opposite side of the Palazzo, and already put into operation some time ago.
Then the Holy Father, Pope Francis offered a few words of greeting before donning a stole and reciting two prayers of consecration, the first to Saint Joseph, and the second to Saint Michael the Archangel. His Holiness then sprinkled the new statue with holy water and imparted his blessing to all those who were present.
Among those present for this moment of innauguration were the Authorities from the Secretariat of State and the Governatorato, the artists who sculpted the new statue (Giuseppe Antonio Lomuscio) and the fountain of Saint Joseph (Franco Murer) and the benefactors who supported the project, other invited guests and the personnel of the Governatorato. The ceremony was concluded by 9:15am.
We intended to submit the work to Pope Benedict XVI on April 19, the anniversary of his election. The event of February 11, however, changed our plans. Today, having obtained the confirmation of approval by Your Holiness, the monument will finally be inaugurated. Given that the completion of this project has straddled two pontificates, it may well be taken as a symbol of the continuity of divine protection of the Church and of the Vatican City State. The Archangel Michael is presented to us by the Bible, in the book of Daniel, as a special protector of the People of God (cf. Dan 10.13-21; 12:1), and in the book of Revelation, as the leader of the heavenly hosts, defeating Satan and all the forces opposed to the Kingdom of God (cf. Rev 12:7). St. Michael the Archangel has the mission of being an instrument of God to defend his people, the Church, against all the forces of evil.
The artist who created the work that Your Holiness today inaugurates, Giuseppe Antonio Lomuscio, has his headquarters in Trani, a city not far from the famous Sanctuary of Saint Michael at Monte Gargano. He is here with his Archbishop, His Excellency, Giovanni Battista Picchierri, and with their families. The conceptualization and design of the work was created by Lomuscio in the light of faith. The aesthetic criteria that guided him reflect a conception of art as a reflection of the beauty with which God has filled creation, and in particular the creature he created in his image and likeness, the human creature, the closest in the scale of beings, the splendor of the angelic creatures. For this, the Archangel Michael is depicted here by borrowing heroic traits of a human figure, while Satan, whom he defeated, is represented with a figure of the same shape, but inverted and disfigured as a result of sin.
It is my pleasant duty to remember that this work has not weighed on the balance sheet of either the Governorato nor the Holy See due to the generosity of Mr.Claudio Chiais, of Rome, who paid for the charges related to the monument and its implementation. With him, I wish to thank Your Holiness, also in the presence of Professor Antonio Paolucci, Director of the Vatican Museums, who chaired the jury of the competition and offered valuable suggestions for finishing the work, and Mister Pier Carlo Cuscianna, Director of Technical Services of the Governorato, along with his employees and workers for their efforts in preparing and performing their duties in an appropriate workmanlike manner.
I want to conclude by drawing attention to one particular person, to whom I wish to express particular gratitude: that is to you, Holy Father. Your Holiness has decided that the work is to be adorned with a double coat of arms: Yours, and also that of Pope Benedict XVI, to whom the work was to be offered on April 19. He is at this time in our thoughts; we are always full of gratitude and admiration for him. At the base of the pedestal is the inscription: Benedictus PP. XVI ANNO VIII *** Franciscus PP. ANNO ** I ** Michaeli Archangelo ** Populi Dei Defensori Vaticanae Civitatis Patrono.
Thank you, Your Holiness! May Saint Michael the Archangel always offer his powerful protection to the person of Your Holiness and to the Church throughout the world praying so that - as the great voice from heaven of the Apocalypse proclaimed - "the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and of His Christ (Rev. 12, l0) may be accomplished.
Your Holiness,
Lord Cardinals, Venerable Brothers in the Episcopate and the priesthood,
Illustrious ladies and gentlemen!
We are gathered here in the Vatican Gardens to bless a monument to Saint Michael the Archangel, patron of the Vatican City State. This is an initiative which has been in the works already for some time, having been given the blessing of Pope Benedict XVI, to whom we offer our love and gratitude, and who we have the joy of greeting personally here in our midst today. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!
I am grateful to the President of the Governatorato, in particular to Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, for his cordial words, to the Management and the workers involved in this project. I thank Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, President-emeritus of the Governatorato, also for having explained the work which has taken place and the results which we witness today. A word of appreciation is also offered to the sculptor, Mister Giuseppe Antonio Lomuscio, and to the benefactor, Mister Claudio Chiais, who are both present here today. Thank you!
There are several works of art in the Vatican Gardens, and this one which has most recently been added, assumes a place of particular importance, both in terms of its placement and for the significance it expresses. In fact, this is not only a celebrated work, but an invitation to reflection and to prayer, which fits well with the theme of the Year of Faith. Michael - which means: Who is like God? - is the champion of the primacy of God, of his transcendence and power. Michael fights to re-establish divine justice; to defend the People of God from their nemeses and above all from the supreme enemy, the devil. And Saint Michael is victorious because in Him is God who is at work. This sculpture therefore reminds us that evil has been overcome, the accuser has been unmasked, his head has been crushed, because salvation has been gained once for all time in the blood of Christ. Although the devil always tries to scratch the face of the Archangel, and the face of mankind, God is stronger: his is the victory and his salvation is offered to every man. Along the journey through the trials of live, we are not alone, we are accompanied and supported by the Angels of God, who offer their wings, so to speak, to help and to overcome many difficulties, carrying us high above the difficulties that can sometimes weigh us down or attempt to drag us asunder. By consecrating the Vatican City State to Saint Michael the Archangel, we ask him to defend us from the evil one and to cast him out.
Dear brothers and sisters, we consecrate the Vatican City State also to Saint Joseph, who watched over Jesus, who cared for the Holy Family. His presence makes us stronger and more courageous in making space for God in our lives so that he can always overcome evil with good. Let us ask him to watch over us, to take care of us, so that the life of Grace may grow stronger every day in each one of us.
A few moments before the ceremony began, His Holiness, Benedict XVI, having been invited by Pope Francis to be present for this moment of prayer, made his way to the appointed place in the gardens and was greeted with great affection by those present, and by the personnel of the Vatican Governatorato. Pope Francis joined him a few moments later, and the two greeted one another warmly, then stood together for the entire ceremony, taking their places on two thrones which had been placed in front of the statue.
After a brief word of greeting, offered by His Eminence, Giuseppe Cardinal Bertello, President of the Vatican Governatorato, His Eminence Giovanni Cardinal Lajolo, President-emeritus of the Governatorato outlined the significance of the new statue and of the fountain dedicated to Saint Joseph, installed on the opposite side of the Palazzo, and already put into operation some time ago.
Then the Holy Father, Pope Francis offered a few words of greeting before donning a stole and reciting two prayers of consecration, the first to Saint Joseph, and the second to Saint Michael the Archangel. His Holiness then sprinkled the new statue with holy water and imparted his blessing to all those who were present.
Among those present for this moment of innauguration were the Authorities from the Secretariat of State and the Governatorato, the artists who sculpted the new statue (Giuseppe Antonio Lomuscio) and the fountain of Saint Joseph (Franco Murer) and the benefactors who supported the project, other invited guests and the personnel of the Governatorato. The ceremony was concluded by 9:15am.
Greeting of His Eminence, Giovanni Cardinal Lajolo
President-emeritus of the Vatican Governatorato
Your Holiness,
We are all very happy that Your Holiness has agreed to bless this monument to Saint Michael, the Archangel, Protector of the Universal Church and Patron of the Vatican City State.
Along with Your Holiness, I wish to thank His Eminence, Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, President of the Governatorato, who asked me to continue supervising the work designed and begun while I was President, and who has kindly allowed me to speak today.
We intended to submit the work to Pope Benedict XVI on April 19, the anniversary of his election. The event of February 11, however, changed our plans. Today, having obtained the confirmation of approval by Your Holiness, the monument will finally be inaugurated. Given that the completion of this project has straddled two pontificates, it may well be taken as a symbol of the continuity of divine protection of the Church and of the Vatican City State. The Archangel Michael is presented to us by the Bible, in the book of Daniel, as a special protector of the People of God (cf. Dan 10.13-21; 12:1), and in the book of Revelation, as the leader of the heavenly hosts, defeating Satan and all the forces opposed to the Kingdom of God (cf. Rev 12:7). St. Michael the Archangel has the mission of being an instrument of God to defend his people, the Church, against all the forces of evil.
The artist who created the work that Your Holiness today inaugurates, Giuseppe Antonio Lomuscio, has his headquarters in Trani, a city not far from the famous Sanctuary of Saint Michael at Monte Gargano. He is here with his Archbishop, His Excellency, Giovanni Battista Picchierri, and with their families. The conceptualization and design of the work was created by Lomuscio in the light of faith. The aesthetic criteria that guided him reflect a conception of art as a reflection of the beauty with which God has filled creation, and in particular the creature he created in his image and likeness, the human creature, the closest in the scale of beings, the splendor of the angelic creatures. For this, the Archangel Michael is depicted here by borrowing heroic traits of a human figure, while Satan, whom he defeated, is represented with a figure of the same shape, but inverted and disfigured as a result of sin.
It is my pleasant duty to remember that this work has not weighed on the balance sheet of either the Governorato nor the Holy See due to the generosity of Mr.Claudio Chiais, of Rome, who paid for the charges related to the monument and its implementation. With him, I wish to thank Your Holiness, also in the presence of Professor Antonio Paolucci, Director of the Vatican Museums, who chaired the jury of the competition and offered valuable suggestions for finishing the work, and Mister Pier Carlo Cuscianna, Director of Technical Services of the Governorato, along with his employees and workers for their efforts in preparing and performing their duties in an appropriate workmanlike manner.
I want to conclude by drawing attention to one particular person, to whom I wish to express particular gratitude: that is to you, Holy Father. Your Holiness has decided that the work is to be adorned with a double coat of arms: Yours, and also that of Pope Benedict XVI, to whom the work was to be offered on April 19. He is at this time in our thoughts; we are always full of gratitude and admiration for him. At the base of the pedestal is the inscription: Benedictus PP. XVI ANNO VIII *** Franciscus PP. ANNO ** I ** Michaeli Archangelo ** Populi Dei Defensori Vaticanae Civitatis Patrono.
Thank you, Your Holiness! May Saint Michael the Archangel always offer his powerful protection to the person of Your Holiness and to the Church throughout the world praying so that - as the great voice from heaven of the Apocalypse proclaimed - "the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and of His Christ (Rev. 12, l0) may be accomplished.
Speech offered by the Holy Father, Pope Francis
for the blessing of the Statue of Saint Michael the Archangel
in the Vatican Gardens
Your Holiness,
Lord Cardinals, Venerable Brothers in the Episcopate and the priesthood,
Illustrious ladies and gentlemen!
We are gathered here in the Vatican Gardens to bless a monument to Saint Michael the Archangel, patron of the Vatican City State. This is an initiative which has been in the works already for some time, having been given the blessing of Pope Benedict XVI, to whom we offer our love and gratitude, and who we have the joy of greeting personally here in our midst today. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!
I am grateful to the President of the Governatorato, in particular to Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, for his cordial words, to the Management and the workers involved in this project. I thank Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, President-emeritus of the Governatorato, also for having explained the work which has taken place and the results which we witness today. A word of appreciation is also offered to the sculptor, Mister Giuseppe Antonio Lomuscio, and to the benefactor, Mister Claudio Chiais, who are both present here today. Thank you!
There are several works of art in the Vatican Gardens, and this one which has most recently been added, assumes a place of particular importance, both in terms of its placement and for the significance it expresses. In fact, this is not only a celebrated work, but an invitation to reflection and to prayer, which fits well with the theme of the Year of Faith. Michael - which means: Who is like God? - is the champion of the primacy of God, of his transcendence and power. Michael fights to re-establish divine justice; to defend the People of God from their nemeses and above all from the supreme enemy, the devil. And Saint Michael is victorious because in Him is God who is at work. This sculpture therefore reminds us that evil has been overcome, the accuser has been unmasked, his head has been crushed, because salvation has been gained once for all time in the blood of Christ. Although the devil always tries to scratch the face of the Archangel, and the face of mankind, God is stronger: his is the victory and his salvation is offered to every man. Along the journey through the trials of live, we are not alone, we are accompanied and supported by the Angels of God, who offer their wings, so to speak, to help and to overcome many difficulties, carrying us high above the difficulties that can sometimes weigh us down or attempt to drag us asunder. By consecrating the Vatican City State to Saint Michael the Archangel, we ask him to defend us from the evil one and to cast him out.
Dear brothers and sisters, we consecrate the Vatican City State also to Saint Joseph, who watched over Jesus, who cared for the Holy Family. His presence makes us stronger and more courageous in making space for God in our lives so that he can always overcome evil with good. Let us ask him to watch over us, to take care of us, so that the life of Grace may grow stronger every day in each one of us.
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