On Sept. 12, Brazil's National Shrine of Aparecida is set to unveil the mosaics on the basilica's west façade. The artwork was created by the Aletti Center, a school dedicated to promoting sacred art that was founded in Rome by the former Jesuit priest and artist Father Marko Ivan Rupnik.
The artwork, which bears the unmistakable hallmarks of Rupnik's style, completes the "Biblical Journey" project, an initiative that covered the shrine's four façades with mosaics depicting biblical scenes.
Rupnik faces accusations of spiritual, psychological, and sexual abuse against dozens of nuns — incidents that, in some cases, occurred within the context of his artistic work. He was expelled from the Society of Jesus in June 2023 for disobeying a superior's order not to preach publicly and is currently facing a canonical trial before the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
In contrast to the basilica's decision to retain Rupnik's art, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France plans to cover all of Rupnik's mosaics on the façade of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary ahead of the visit by Pope Leo XIV, scheduled for Sept. 26–27.
The bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, Jean-Marc Micas, stated that the measure was taken out of consideration for abuse victims and that the mosaics will remain covered following the pope's visit.
Works by Rupnik and the Aletti Center can be found in various religious sites, such as the Redemptoris Mater Chapel in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace as well as the shrines of St. Pio of Pietrelcina in Italy and Fátima in Portugal.
Biblical Journey Project
Work on the Brazil shrine's exterior began in 2019. The north façade, inaugurated in 2022, depicts the Exodus and the liberation of the people of Israel; the south façade, completed in 2024, portrays the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Christ; and the east façade, inaugurated in 2025, presents scenes of creation from the Book of Genesis.
The west façade, set to be inaugurated Sept. 12, is dedicated to the Book of Revelation, the Second Coming of Christ, and the Last Judgment. According to the shrine, the scenes represent "God's victory over evil."
The most recent façade work began in 2025. It features nearly 4,000 square meters of mosaics designed and executed by 39 artists associated with the Aletti Center. The stones used in the project come from countries such as Brazil, Italy, Greece, and Afghanistan.
Rupnik remains listed as part of the team on the Aletti Center's website. The institution identifies him as the director of the Spiritual Art Atelier since 1995 and head of the Theology Atelier since 2008.
The project was funded by the "Devotees' Campaign," consisting of donations from Our Lady's devotees across Brazil. The shrine announced that the unveiling of the façade would take place during a "catechetical celebration," featuring a special program and a live broadcast by the Rede Aparecida media network.
In 2024, when ACI Digital, the Portuguese-language sister service of EWTN News, asked the National Shrine about the project's continuation following the allegations against Rupnik, the institution did not directly answer the questions but issued a statement noting that the "work on the façades of the Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida continues under the leadership and execution of the Aletti Center."
The shrine went on to indicate that since 2020, the project has been directed by Italian artist and theologian Maria Campatelli. "Its leadership team comprises 12 women and nine men, alongside dozens of artists of various nationalities who are directly involved in the project," the shrine added in a statement.
In addition, the shrine noted that the Vicariate of Rome — to which the Aletti Center is accountable — issued "a finding following a canonical visitation, attesting 'clearly to a healthy community life at the Aletti Center, free from specific issues.'"
ACI Digital contacted the shrine's press office to request information regarding the inauguration and to inquire about Rupnik's role in creating the mosaics as well as the criteria that led Aparecida to retain the artwork, whereas Lourdes decided to cover them out of consideration for abuse victims.
The press office stated that coverage would be restricted to the shrine's official channels and requested that questions be submitted via email. However, no response was received by the time of publication.
This story was first published by ACI Digital, the Portuguese-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
