'250 Years of Mission' Art Exhibit open at Cathedral

‘250 Years of Mission’ is a new art exhibit hosted by the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in celebration of the Archdiocese’s ‘Forward in Mission’ Jubilee Year.

The year-long exhibition of paintings, photos and artifacts showcasing the rich legacy of Catholic faith in Los Angeles over the decades is available to the public during the course of the “ Forward in Mission” Jubilee Year from September 11, 2021 through September 10, 2022.
The exhibit will be open to the public during regular hours of operation.  Admission is free.

250 Years of Mission features a painting by sacred artist Lalo Garcia commissioned by Archbishop José H. Gomez in honor of the canonization of St. Junípero Serra, and a tapestry by John Nava in the same style as the cathedral's communion of saints tapestries, that was  displayed at the Mass of Canonization of St. Junípero by Pope Francis on September 23, 2015 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.

Also included in the exhibit are large oil paintings by artist Aurelio G. D. Mendoza which depict the work of St. Junípero including the building of the missions. Several pieces from the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel will be displayed including 19th-century artifacts and colonial paintings.

The exhibit offers observers an overview of what the archdiocese grew from. There is a spectacular, and huge, gold monstrance crafted for the founding of the archdiocese (previously a diocese) and installation of Archbishop John J. Cantwell, its first archbishop, as well as historic vestments, habits, and photographs of the wildly popular “Mary’s Hour” devotional event that, at one time, attracted 100,000 devotees to the Los Angeles Coliseum.

Among the galleries, one is dedicated to the richness of the archdiocese’s present, one that regularly sees Mass celebrated in 42 different languages. Photos highlighting the diversity of Catholic faith traditions are meant to show us “what the church is now in Los Angeles and, really, what its future is." said Sister M. Anncarla Costello, Chancellor, who curated the exhibit with Fr. Parker Sandoval, vice-chancellor.  “The art comes with a message, because they’re not just great pieces of art, they are teaching us we are all united in Christ. All part of the communion of saints. That’s what we wanted to communicate with our choices,” Father Sandoval said.”

Read More:
Angelus News: Cathedral exhibit brings 250 years of LA Catholic history to life - September 28, 2021