‘Making of a Saint’ exhibit to open
Commemorating the 2014 canonization of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII, Houston’s National Museum of Funeral History will expand its “Celebrating the Lives & Deaths of the Popes” exhibit with memorabilia associated with the new saints.
“The Making of a Saint,” scheduled to open June 1, will focus on the process of becoming a saint, from beatification to canonization. Only seven popes have been designated saints in the past millennium. “Oftentimes, it is centuries after their death before a pope becomes a saint, which means they usually aren’t remembered by the living,” said museum president Genevieve Keeney. “That’s what makes this new addition to our papal exhibit so special. These popes were part of our lives, and we remember them so fondly.”
In addition to the 1982 Range Rover “Popemobile” used by Pope John Paul II during his 1980s tour of the United Kingdom, visitors will be able to view a sash worn by the pontiff and photographs of his body ceremonially being transported to St. Peter’s Basilica. Lifesize replicas of the papal throne and Pope John II’s altar also will be featured.
Encompassing more than 5,000 square feet, the museum’s papacy exhibit opened in 2008. It is said to be the largest such permanent educational exhibit outside Rome.
John Paul II, who was pontiff from 1978 until his death in 2005, and John XXIII, pope from 1958 to 1963, were canonized on April 27, 2014.