Amorsolo paintings are fixtures in the Vatican

MANILA, Philippines — Three paintings of Filipino national artist Fernando Amorsolo have become fixtures at the Vatican in Rome, according to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). An article in the CBCP website (www.cbcpnews.com) said one of the paintings is displayed at the headquarters of the Vatican Radio, while two others are at the Propaganda Fide. “Having the Amorsolo paintings at the Propaganda Fide also highlights the special missionary contribution of the Philippine Church in spreading the faith to other nations," the CBCP said. Propaganda Fide is a congregation involved in missionary work and related missionary initiatives. The first painting at Propaganda Fide entitled “El Primer Bautizo En Filipinas," dated April 1949, depicts the baptism of Rajah Humabon of Cebu in 1521. The other painting is “La Fe Ante Las Ruinas," which is dated May 1949. It shows a religious procession in honor of Our Lady of Antipolo in front of church ruins after the liberation of Manila from Japanese forces in 1945. The CBCP said these two paintings are not as well-known as the paintings of the Italian masters in Rome like Raphael, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Fra Angelico. “Even with this limitation, the Amorsolo paintings should be a source of honor and consolation to Filipinos. The theme of faith as depicted by Amorsolo in his two paintings continues to be practiced today by our Filipino migrants who comprise around 50 religious communities in Rome," it said. - GMANews.TV