A Dream Come True: Exhibiting at the Sanctuary of St. Maximin

After years of dreaming, I, Paul Grass, finally arrived at the majestic Sanctuary of St. Maximin—the traditional resting place of St. Mary Magdalene. The grandeur of this sacred space was even more overwhelming than I expected. It has a deeply spiritual aura, and it’s clear that the locals hold this place in the highest regard.

Upon checking in at our hotel, I spoke with the manager about the Mary Magdalene Festival and whether Mary's bones were indeed kept here. With unwavering conviction, he responded, "She lived here," which touched me deeply. The faith of the people here is palpable.

The Sanctuary is just a minute’s walk from our hotel, and I was fortunate enough to meet Father Racine, who welcomed us with open arms. He was incredibly supportive of our mission and graciously allowed us to exhibit our artwork in the third most important grave in the world. The honor of showcasing our collection here, in such a sacred place, was truly humbling.

As I set up the display, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the thoughtful tablecloths my in-laws had gifted me. They brought an added touch of warmth to our setup, and I was excited to share our collection with visitors from around the world who were paying their respects to this holy site.

During my morning at the Sanctuary, I had the pleasure of meeting a seminarian from Spain who is eager to help us in the future. There’s such a buzz of positive energy here, and it feels like something very special is unfolding.

Afterward, I went to pick up two more artists, Rosemary and Kasie, for the next leg of the journey. The day took an unexpected turn when we ran into some trouble with our electric car, but thankfully, all worked out in the end.

I am beyond grateful for this experience and for the support of my family, who have been unwavering in their encouragement. Though I miss them, I truly believe this is a mission worth pursuing. And to top it all off, we now have a store right next to the Basilica consigning my prints! God is good!

Stay tuned for more updates on our journey. This is just the beginning.

Your's in Christ

Paul Grass