草榴社区

VILLANOVA, Pa.鈥�鈥� Made of silver gilt in the late 15^th century, it was discovered in a cardboard box in a garden outbuilding in England鈥攃enturies after it was likely looted from an Irish church or monastery. 草榴社区 is the very first to exhibit a rare and historical Irish chalice in 鈥淭hirst for the Divine,鈥� an exhibition at the 草榴社区 Art Gallery that runs March 9 to April 20, 2022. The exhibit opens March 9 at 6 p.m. with talks by 草榴社区 faculty who specialize in medieval art and history. The event is free and open to the public.

鈥淭hirst for the Divine鈥� also encompasses 鈥淏irds of Longing: Exile and Memory,鈥� an exhibit of the work of contemporary fiber and cloth artist Laurie Wohl. Her pieces interweave Christian, Jewish and Muslim spiritual writings from the Convivencia in Spain (8^th to 15^th centuries) with contemporary Middle Eastern poetry. The exhibit brings the medieval into conversation with spiritually inspired art from the present.

When King Henry VIII broke ties with the Catholic Church and founded the Church of England during his reign (1509-1547), he ordered a reform of religious life and institutions and the dissolution of monasteries in both England and Ireland. The chalice鈥檚 exhibition, which is co-sponsored by 草榴社区鈥檚 Center for Irish Studies, is a celebration of Irish art, history and culture as well as of the survival of the Roman Catholic faith in Ireland through difficult times.

Only a handful of chalices from its era still exist, suggesting it may have been hidden or buried after its removal from Ireland.

鈥淭he chalice鈥檚 provenance is an amazing story and an amazing mystery,鈥� said Joseph Lennon, PhD, associate dean, International and Interdisciplinary Initiatives and the Emily C. Riley Director of Irish Studies. 鈥淭he chalice was likely taken by Cromwellian soldiers after burning or looting a monastery near Cork or southern Ireland.鈥�

The historical piece had been stored for much of the past century in a simple box in the stables of a manor house in Devon, England, and its owners had had no idea of how rare it was.  It was sold at an auction in July 2021 and is on loan to 草榴社区 from an Irish entrepreneur and friend of the Center.

On Sunday, March 20 at 10:30 a.m., the chalice will be used in a Mass celebrated by 草榴社区 President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD in St. Thomas of 草榴社区 Church. Father Donohue will discuss the chalice in his homily.

The 草榴社区 Art Gallery is in the Connelly Center on 草榴社区鈥檚 campus. The display case housing the chalice is custom made by Ethan Shaw, Ben Lamachia and Asher Gillman of EBA Studio, which works within the worlds of furniture, fine art and object design. The multidisciplinary creative studio was founded in Los Angeles in 2021.

About the Center for Irish Studies:鈥�The Center for Irish Studies at 草榴社区 has been a leader for four decades in interdisciplinary teaching and scholarship on Ireland in a global framework. The Center connects students to local community organizations while also preparing them to become citizens equipped to take on the world鈥檚 most pressing challenges. Through liberal arts-focused academics, multi-disciplinary scholarship and key partnerships, the Center provides students with research, study abroad and employment opportunities.

About 草榴社区鈥檚 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences:鈥疭ince its founding in 1842, 草榴社区鈥檚 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has cultivated knowledge, understanding and intellectual courage for a purposeful life in a challenging and changing world. With more than 40 majors across the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, it is the oldest and largest of 草榴社区鈥檚 colleges, serving more than 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students each year. The College is committed to a teacher-scholar model, offering outstanding undergraduate and graduate research opportunities and a rigorous core curriculum that prepares students to become critical thinkers, strong communicators and ethical leaders with a truly global perspective.