In a unique effort to preserve the sacred arts, St. Peter’s Basilica has launched a School of Arts and Crafts to train the next generation of craftsmen in traditional trades. The program, offered by the Fabbrica di San Pietro, the department responsible for the basilica’s maintenance, restoration, and repairs, is now in its third year. It offers a rare opportunity for recent high school and college graduates to learn ancient crafts that are integral to the life and beauty of the Vatican.
The six-month training course provides students with the chance to specialize in one of five traditional crafts: stone and marble work, bricklaying and plastering, carpentry, blacksmithery, and mosaic design. According to Father Francesco Occhetta, SJ, the director of the school, the program is a crucial step in restoring a tradition that dates back to the 1700s. “It is important for the basilica to have this school, because it restores a tradition from the 1700s, putting it at the center of [the basilica’s] life today,” he explained to CNA. “This alliance of hands, head, and heart, today, has revived something that was dying in the culture over the last 30 years.”
The students, primarily aged 18-25, live within the Vatican while learning both the academic and practical aspects of their crafts. They study subjects like the history of St. Peter’s Basilica, the fundamentals of architecture, art techniques, and biblical and theological foundations. They also receive hands-on training, spending 200 hours in the classroom and 400 hours in the lab, under the tutelage of expert craftsmen. The students gain invaluable experience maintaining the basilica, learning how to care for the marble, wood, and mosaics that adorn the sacred space.
This initiative not only helps preserve the sacred artistry of St. Peter’s Basilica but also builds a sense of community among the students. Father Occhetta notes that the school is “first and foremost an experience of relationships for the 20 young men and women living together and learning — in the basilica — about the maintenance of the basilica, through the skills of our craftsmen.” This sense of fellowship is central to the school’s mission, as students pass on knowledge from one generation to the next.
The program also offers a spiritual dimension, as students work in a sacred space. Father Occhetta shared that, “St. Peter’s is a sacred space, and the goal is for our students to also encounter their own sacred space while doing maintenance.” For the students, the opportunity to contribute to the care of a place of such deep significance has been transformative. “I’ve really formed connections that I’m going to carry with me for my career and just the rest of my life in general,” said Cristina Squatriti, a student in the stonemasonry and marble working track.
The program attracts students from around the world, such as Francesco Bonello from Gozo, Malta, who has a background in commercial marble cutting but wanted to learn the more artistic techniques of marble engraving. Bonello, like his fellow students, is focused on mastering the fundamental techniques that have been passed down through generations. “When you master the fundamental techniques, it will help you in the long run for your career,” Bonello said, emphasizing the importance of handcraftsmanship in his work.
This hands-on training has proven to be both challenging and rewarding. Students like Squatriti, who had no prior experience with tools like a scalpel, began with simple tasks such as learning how to incise letters and draw straight lines. Now, she is working on more advanced techniques, including “intarcio,” the inlaying of marble into other pieces of marble. “It’s very slow going, because it’s a tough material to work with, but I’ve learned so much in the past three months,” Squatriti explained.
Father Occhetta hopes that the school’s efforts will not only benefit St. Peter’s Basilica but will also have a global impact. “These young people can have this opportunity and then go to other basilicas around the world to be able to pass on what is the knowledge of the Fabbrica di San Pietro,” he said. The Vatican hopes to hire some of the graduates to work as part of the full-time maintenance crew at St. Peter’s and to continue spreading their knowledge to preserve historic churches worldwide.
The School of Arts and Crafts offers more than just an education in traditional craftsmanship. It provides students with the chance to serve the Church and deepen their connection to its rich history. As Father Occhetta noted, working “with the hands is one of the keys to revitalizing the world of young people in the workplace today as well,” a sentiment that reflects the value of both the spiritual and practical lessons learned through the program.
For those seeking to connect with the timeless beauty of the Church and contribute to its preservation, the School of Arts and Crafts offers a truly unique opportunity to learn, grow, and serve. According to CNA, this program represents a vital effort to keep the sacred arts alive for future generations.
