New Permanent Display at the Basilica School Highlights the History of Catholic Education

All parishioners are invited to come and see Christ Yesterday & Today: A History of Catholic Education on Sunday, January 25, after the 8:30 Mass a.m. Mass that morning — from 9:45-11:30 a.m.

Now adorning the walls at the Basilica School of Saint Mary is a new, permanent display on the history of Catholic education. Christ Yesterday & Today: A History of Catholic Education is a brand-new offering, wholly unique in our diocese. Located along the Saint Margaret of Scotland hallway, outside the school’s new  Saint James Library Media Center, the display consists of floor-to-ceiling murals and overlaying panels. It was curated and designed by our archival manager, Virginia Nyce. It was produced by Adler Display, the same museum design firm that installed our Basilica Museum.

The history display begins with Christ, since it is Jesus Christ who makes us stand out among the genus school, and it is his life and teachings that Catholic educators seek to serve, model and share. It ends with the words from the Letter to the Hebrews, reminding us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” What we are doing today in our Basilica School is an extension of that same mission begun by the 12 apostles more than 2,000  years ago; our Catholic schools are a response to Christ’s final command to “Go (…), make disciples of all nations (…) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19-20).

Within these two book-end panels dedicated to Christ, the history of Catholic education unfolds. The display highlights such important figures as Saint Benedict, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and Venerable Mother Mary Lange; it narrates major events in Catholic educational history, such as  the Plenary Councils of Baltimore, the creation of new religious teaching orders, and the publication of Gravissimum Educationis, “On Catholic Education,” by the Second Vatican Council.