From September 17 to 20, the annual international meeting of the leaders of the Chapters of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums was held at Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth, Michigan, in the United States.
The Vatican was represented by a delegation led by Sr. Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, and Giuseppe Puglisi-Albrandi, Secretary General. The delegation also included representatives of the Directorate of Museums and Cultural Heritage, the Office for Relations with the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums, and the Office of Human Resources.
The meeting’s main proceedings began on Friday, September 18, with an address by the President of the Governorate, who reflected on the events and developments of recent months, including the establishment of the Fratello Sole Foundation to build an agrivoltaic facility at Santa Maria di Galeria.
Monsignor Terence Hogan, Coordinator of the Office for Relations with the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums, reiterated the essential role of donor support in promoting the preservation of the Vatican Museums’ artistic and cultural heritage.
Barbara Jatta, Director of Museums and Cultural Heritage, thanked all those present who had contributed to the restoration of works of art housed in the Vatican Museums, emphasizing the importance of arts patronage. She then highlighted several recent restoration projects, including the extraordinary conservation work on the Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel, supported by the Florida Chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums, and the restoration of the Belvedere Courtyard, which involved several Chapters. Alberto Albanesi, Deputy Director for Management and Administration of the Vatican Museums, then presented several projects being undertaken by the Museums.
Finally, the Chapter leaders and the Vatican delegation engaged in extensive discussions on future restoration and conservation projects for the Vatican Museums and Vatican City State, which will be featured in the 2027 Wishbook.
Following the day’s proceedings, the Michigan Chapter organized a series of events, including a visit to the Detroit Institute of Arts. The gathering concluded on Sunday, September 20, with the celebration of Holy Mass in the chapel at Saint John’s Resort, presided over by the Archbishop of Detroit, the Most Reverend Edward Joseph Weisenburger.
