Midtown Cathedral Honors NYC's Immigrants In Its Largest Artwork Ever

MIDTOWN, NY — On Sunday, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown is unveiling a history-making addition.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, is hosting a dedication mass for a new 25-foot-tall mural by artist Adam Cvijanovic at the cathedral that honors the city's immigrants and first responders, as well as sacred and historical figures.

The new work, titled "What’s So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding," transforms all three walls inside the landmark church’s Fifth Avenue entrance vestibule into a sweeping vision of faith, history, and service.

The mural is the cathedral’s largest permanent artwork since it opened 146 years ago, and will be seen by the six million visitors the Midtown cathedral has each year.

The mural depicts the sacred event known as the Apparition at Knock, pays tribute to generations of immigrants who built and sustained New York’s Catholic community, and honors the city’s first responders, Dolan said.

"The mural also recognizes the contributions of a multigenerational host of great individuals and guardians of the city and pays tribute to the immigrants of many lands who continue to bring their faith and hope to New York."

Cvijanovic’s light-filled, realistic style brings dozens of figures to life, many of which are at or above life size.

"Each human figure, whether historic and renowned or contemporary and anonymous, realistically portrays an individual model, in keeping with the Church’s insistence on the dignity and worth of every person," Cvijanovic said.

"My hope is that when you view them all spread across the full span of the mural, you’ll feel how all of humanity is welcomed here."

The dedication Mass for the mural will be held on Sunday. For more information, click here.

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is located at Fifth Avenue between 50th Street and 51st Street, New York, NY 10022.

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