Collaborations with religious bodies and museums

9.3 Collaborations with religious bodies and museums

The enhancement of the cult of St. Michael and the paths connected to it has been nurtured over time thanks to a living network of collaborations between sanctuaries, museums, dioceses, religious foundations and cultural institutes. These synergies have enabled the development of exhibition projects, training courses, restorations, digital archives and moments of encounter between spirituality and culture.

Collaborations with shrines and religious communities

• Sanctuary of St Michael Archangel - Monte Sant'Angelo

Permanent collaborations with the Diocese of Manfredonia, the Friars Minor and the International Association of Micael Shrines.

Initiatives: interdiocesan celebrations, youth trails, grotto restoration, project to digitise ex-votos

• Sacra di San Michele - Rosminian Order

Spiritual welcome activities, historical publications and promotion of the site as a place of faith and culture.

Collaboration with the Piedmont Region and CAI (Italian Alpine Club) for inclusion in the historical walks.

• Monastic Fraternity of Jerusalem - Mont-Saint-Michel

Liturgical and educational activities for pilgrims, in cooperation with French organisations and UNESCO.

Spiritual projects, concerts and theme trails.

Museum and cultural collaborations

• Giuseppe Andreassi' National Museum and Library - Monte Sant'Angelo

It preserves lithic and votive artefacts of the Gargano Micaelico cult; an active participant in exhibitions and activities with schools.

He co-organised the exhibition 'Saint Michael: Memory and Myth' (2016).

• Vatican Museums - Christian Art Department

Collaboration on thematic exhibitions ('The Archangel between East and West', 2004) and the study of Michaelic iconography in the medieval collection.

• Diocesan Museum of Viterbo / Museum of the Abbey of Novalesa (TO)

Involved in activities related to the cult of saints, with permanent or temporary sections dedicated to St Michael.

Scientific contributions and community workshops in synergy with local parishes.

Joint activities: between faith, art and research

• Festival of Christian Culture - St Michael between Art and Faith

An initiative promoted by church and museum institutions in various Italian regions to explore the figure of the Archangel in the visual arts, sacred music and popular iconography.

• Joint CEI - Ministry of Culture projects

Calls for tenders for the valorisation of ecclesiastical assets (2020-2024), with funding earmarked for minor Michaelic shrines, museum routes and integrated information systems.

Impact and perspectives

These collaborations have made possible a complex and vital narrative of the Michaelic cult, integrating the spiritual dimension with the historical-artistic and museum dimensions, and building lasting alliances between religious communities and cultural institutions. This network bears witness to how the memory of St. Michael is enshrined not only in sanctuaries, but also in the shared heritage of communities.