Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to New York next week will most certainly mean travel in the city limits will be even more horrendous than usual. In addition to the massive security detail that comes with escorting one of the most influential men in the world, city leaders are preparing for the millions of loyal Catholics who are traveling to the Big Apple to see the spiritual leader in person.
If you are one of the brave souls descending upon the concrete jungle to catch a glimpse of the Pope I applaud you. I should also inform you that city leaders are warning that a number of popular Catholic shrines in the New York area will likely be packed with visitors next week and travelers are being advised to pack their patience and to keep an eye on their personal belongings.
Some of the notable area attractions that will likely draw the largest crowds during the Pope’s visit include:
The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Shrine in Our Lady of the Rosary Church located near the Staten Island Ferry terminal on State Street. Seton was canonized in 1975 and is known the world over as the first U.S.-born saint. The title should not be confused with the one held by Frances Xavier Cabrini, who was the first American to achieve sainthood. She was an Italian immigrant canonized in 1946. Her remains are preserved in a glass coffin at the St. Frances Cabrini Shrine at 701 Fort Washington Ave. near 190th Street in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood. Her birthday and feast day are remembered with large celebrations at the shrine annually. (In 2008 the celebrations will take place July 12-13 and November 8-9.)
Near the Cabrini shrine is Fort Tryon Park where you’ll find The Cloisters. The structure houses 5,000 works of art, including the famed Unicorn Tapestries, illuminated manuscripts, saints’ relics and paintings. However, the item most visitors come to see is the 15th century painting “The Annunciation Triptych,” which features the Virgin Mary in prayer in the moment just before the Annunciation. The Cloisters is owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which also has an extensive collection of other work at its main building at 82nd Street and Fifth Avenue.
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Little People in the Big Apple: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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