Cathedral Festival of Flowers to Display 125 Years of Sacred Treasures

St. Mary's Cathedral of San Francisco will feature floral creations from international designers amongst historic vessels and vestments at the Cathedral Festival of Flowers from October 3-5, 2008

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) September 19, 2008 -- The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption will host its Second Annual Festival of Flowers from October 3-5, 2008, an intoxicating mix of art forms that will tantalize all five senses.

The Cathedral will open its vaults to display rarely seen sacred treasures, some of which have been locked away for 50 or more years. The exhibit will include an intricate Parisian gold chalice from 1883 and a custom-made vestment worn by Pope John Paul II on his Papal visit in 1987.

Master floral designers will create a breathtaking array of magnificent displays, which will reflect both the splendor of the great bronzes by Italian sculptors, Enrico Manfrini and Mario Rudelli, and the soaring nineteen-story architectural wonder by structural engineer and architect Pier Luigi Nervi. Concurrently, The Little Festival of Flowers, a juried floral show, will take place in the Cathedral's Event Center.

Notable designers include Ron Morgan and Reverend William "Mac" McMillan. Morgan is a master designer and author of A Glass Act a much-anticipated sequel to his two best-selling books, The Center of Attention and In the Company of Flowers. Attending from Belfast, Ireland is Reverend McMillan, an Albert Schweitzer Award winner. Well known throughout the world, he has earned a plethora of recognition for his innovative creations including Best In Show at the World Association of Flower Arrangers.

The weekend will begin with a Gala Preview and Reception on Friday evening for $50. Saturday, which is free and open to the public, will feature The Little Flower Festival Awards Ceremony, floral presentations and lectures such as Flower Symbolism and Flowers in Sacred Art.

Additional activities this weekend include a silent auction, Festival Mass and free organ concert on Sunday featuring works by Max Reger. To see a complete schedule and times, visit www.CathedralFlowers.org or call 415.567.2020.

About The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, also known locally as Saint Mary's Cathedral, is the principal church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco in San Francisco, California. It is the mother church of the Catholic faithful in the California Counties of Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo. www.stmarycathedralsf.org

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