The Augustinian Recollect Bishop Javier Acero participated in the presentation of the exhibition on the Virgin of Guadalupe in the Prado Museum, uniting spirituality, history and fraternity between Mexico and Spain.
An exhibition that speaks to the heart
The past June 10ththe Prado Museum hosted the official presentation of the exhibition So far and yet so close. Guadalupe de Mexico in Spain The exhibition, an unpublished exhibition that traces the history, spirituality and aesthetics of the devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Spain from the 17th century to the present day.
On June 13, the Augustinian Recollectsin collaboration with the Archdiocese of Mexicoorganized a press conference to announce the details of the exhibition, the historical links that sustain it and the spiritual richness that it represents. An initiative born from the desire to build bridges of faith, culture and communion between two brotherly peoples.
In the words of the organizers, this exhibition is a “reconciliation with beauty”. Through artistic pieces from Spanish and Mexican collections, it presents a shared history of faith and devotion that has united both continents since the 17th century.
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A bishop with a missionary soul and a voice of faith between two lands
During the presentation ceremony, the following spoke Bishop Francisco Javier Acero Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Mexico and Augustinian Recollect religious. With a closeness characteristic of a pastor, Acero spoke of art as a true “visual Gospel”:
“Art is like a Gospel for all, a spirituality for all. This exhibition speaks to us of a common faith in Mary that envelops us in a devotional humility towards her.”
From his pastoral experience in Mexico, he emphasized how the Virgin of Guadalupe is “the great evangelizer of the American continent” and how her image has a global relevance today:
“Guadalupe is the first globalized message. She continues to evangelize Europe today as well, in the midst of the spiritual winter we are living through.”
Guadalupe: a sign of unity between Mexico and Spain
The bishop recalled that more than 1,200 Spanish localities have some form of veneration to the Virgin of Guadalupe, many of them derived from the connection with the American devotion. He also stressed that the relationship between the two peoples should be based on love and truth, beyond ideological discourses:
“Between two sister nations like Mexico and Spain, one can argue, but since there is love, relations continue. Relationships are not marked by ideology, they are marked by people.”
For Acero, Our Lady is a bridge that does not divide, but unites: history, faith, identity, mission.
Art and faith, the same vocation
The exhibition is also an opportunity to rediscover the evangelizing value of art, something deeply connected to the Augustinian tradition. As Bishop Acero recalled, for St. Augustine truth is found in the depths of the soul, and art can be the path to it:
“Art can be prayer. Beauty evangelizes. The Guadalupana image not only adorns, it speaks to the heart and continues to transform lives.”
This exhibition is one of the few occasions in which the Prado Museum dedicates space to a religious figure alive in the heart of the people, and marks a milestone in the spiritual relationship between Mexico and Spain.
The exhibition “Tan lejos y tan cerca” can be visited at the Prado Museum. More information at official website of the Prado.