News

P. Francesco Occhetta S.I.

Under the shadow of the Cupolone, the Scuola delle Arti e dei Mestieri (School of Arts and Crafts) of the Fabric of saint Peter is born in collaboration with the Fratelli tutti Foundation.

The choice is part of an ancient tradition that is recalled by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, President of the Fabric of saint Peter, when he writes: “Towards the end of the 18th century, the Fabric founded the Studio Pontificio delle Arti (Pontifical School of the Arts) for young would-be “bricklayers, scaffolders, carpenters, stonemasons and all craftsmen of mechanical arts”; the institution became a national training centre of excellence. With this project, the Fabric today chooses to recover that ‘practical knowledge’, linked to the know-how passed on from generation to generation as the ‘creative act’ of its mission’.

The archive sources tell us that: the 18th century School was free of charge, intended for the training of young craftsmen throughout Rome, open in the evenings and on holidays to allow students to work in the morning.

This choice by the Fabric was an act of love and responsibility, a way to pass on to new generations of craftsmen the technical knowhow of the old masters and the skills needed to work in the Vatican Basilica, a treasure trove of extraordinary masterpieces of art and faith.

So 250 years later, the School is born with the same desires and the same aims: it will be free of charge, the knowledge will be passed on by the best craftsmen in the Basilica, the lessons will take place on the premises and in the workshops of the Fabric of saint Peter, while the students will stay at a residence not far from the Basilica. As an antidote to the loneliness of knowledge and growing professional individualism, the experience is also an opportunity to build a think-tank..

This is why the training courses breathe with two lungs to foster integral human growth: on the one hand they aim at the professional and spiritual growth of the young craftsmen. On the other they have at heart the development of manual skills, historical-artistic learning, knowledge of the materials used and the acquisition of technical and technological skills.

The courses will start in January 2023 and will last six months with compulsory attendance in person. For the first year, the three scheduled courses are addressed to stonemasons and marble masons, plasterers and decorators, and carpenters.

The teaching staff consists of university professors from various Italian universities, the staff of the Fabric of saint Peter’s Technical Office and experienced craftsmen. The training activity includes cycles of face-to-face lectures, seminars, guided tours and study visits. In particular, workshop courses will be held in the workshops of the Fabric of saint Peter, where the would-be craftsmen will have the opportunity to practice and work in close contact with the craftsmen of Saint Peter’s. Through this form of active apprenticeship and generational transmission of knowledge, the students will be able to immerse themselves in the life of the Vatican Basilica, to get to know its places, people and organisation.

Applications must be received by 31st October 2022. For the first year, there will be 20 students, both Italian and foreign (knowledge of Italian language level B2 required), aged between 18 and 25. In this way, the number of students per class will be such as to guarantee a personalised attention for the best possible workshop lessons.

Attendance in person is required; at least 75% of the scheduled course hours must be attended in person, and a Certificate of Acquired Skills will be issued after the final examination.

Applicants are expected to hold a technical institute diploma (with reference to CAT courses), a professional institute diploma (with reference to Maintenance courses), a diploma in arts or a foreign qualification equivalent to the Italian one. The courses are also open to university students if they meet the requirements.

Candidates must pass a selection test consisting of a test and a tele-interview to check soft skills and assess their motivation. However, you can write to a scuola.artiemestieri@fsp.va to register, receive information and explanations.

Sharing this experience will help plant the seed in good soil that will bear fruit in a holistic formation capable of involving the spiritual and community dimensions, the anthropological and cultural, ethical and experiential dimensions. A formation aimed at a mission of service to culture, people and the Church.