Relocation of the Papal Cross
The relocation of the papal cross from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary to Malvern Retreat House is a significant event. The cross, which has historical importance, was originally constructed for Pope John Paul II’s 1979 visit to Philadelphia, serving as a prominent backdrop for the Mass at Logan Circle on the Ben Franklin Parkway.
After standing at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary since that event, the recent sale of the seminary necessitated a new home for the cross. Malvern Retreat House was chosen as the new location. On May 23rd, crews moved the cross to the parking lot behind Our Lady’s Chapel at St. Joseph’s in the Hills.
Robert Perricone, a member of the Malvern Retreat House community and an expert carpenter, volunteered his skills to refurbish the cross. This effort is part of a broader plan to resurrect the monument on the retreat house grounds, ensuring that the memory of the 1979 papal visit is preserved. This move not only saves a piece of history but also provides a new space for reflection and remembrance for visitors to the retreat house.
