The Sacred Now: Faith and Family in the 21st Century

The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 and Mural Arts have worked to create a mural honoring the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 and the historic visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia on September 2015.

Inspired by the theme of the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015, “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive,” the mural is titled The Sacred Now: Faith and Family in the 21st Century. The mural is installed on Saint Malachy School, an Independence Mission School, located in North Philadelphia.

Designed by me Cesar Viveros, the 4,239 square feet work of art is a lasting testament to the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 and Papal Visit. The mural is aimed at capturing the powerful impact of “relationship, interaction, constructivism, actions, inclusion, compassion, and every moment of life that gives us the opportunity to share who we are by living this mission of love.”  In accordance with my vision, the mural created from 153 individual panels, was installed across three sections of the Saint Malachy School’s facade.

The public was invited to help paint the mural through participation in a series of community paint days, co-sponsored by the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 and Mural Arts.

"I believe in the positive impact of public art when imprinting something intangible in the work that captures imagination and stirs emotions in the people involved. Through my public artwork, I want to experience new ways of expression fostering my artistic vision while deepening my connection with the community that merge into one picture – a giant collage of non-abstract subjects that come to life."