MISSION SJC’S ARTIFACT OF THE MONTH
Mission San Juan Capistrano will mark its 250th anniversary in 2026. To mark this historic milestone, the Mission is launching a new Artifact of the Month program. Throughout 2026, a different artifact from the Mission’s archives will go on display each month. Many of these artifacts are not normally on public view and have not been seen by the public for many years.
This month’s artifact is Mary Pickford’s Wedding Painting (1924) by Charles Percy Austin, depicting silent film star Mary Pickford’s vow renewal just outside the historic Sala. The painting can be found in the West Wing Museum building. The painting will be on display through Feb. 2. For more exhibition dates, visit missionsjc.com
OUR LADY AT THE CENTER PREMIERES IN OC
Assemblyman Tri Ta hosted the Orange County premiere of the Vietnamese-language version of the award-winning Our Lady at the Center documentary on Dec. 19. The special event at the Lavender center in Westminster featured a reception, photos and screening of the film, which tells the story of Our Lady of La Vang, the shrine made in her honor at Christ Cathedral and the cathedral’s Marian Gardens. Assemblyman Ta also presented the filmmakers with special certificates of recognition.
THE OUR LADY AT THE CENTER DOCUMENTARY FILM, WHICH TELLS THE STORY OF OUR LADY OF LA VANG. PHOTO BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Our Lady at the Center is co-presented by the Diocese of Orange and OLLV Foundation, which fundraises for the La Vang shrine project and St. Callistus Chapel & Crypts. Assemblyman Ta’s sponsorship screening was a historic milestone for Our Lady at the Center, which has continued to gain traction and notoriety since its premiere in May 2025. It was also a sign of confidence and support from Orange County’s Vietnamese community.
Parishes and others who are interested in screening the film, which is available in English and Vietnamese, can contact the OLLV Foundation at (714) 282-4290.
A SPECIAL VISIT TO SHROUD MUSEUM
One of the few living people who handled and inspected the actual Shroud of Turin visited the new Shroud museum at Christ Cathedral last month. Lt. Col. Rudolph “Rudy” Dichtl, a former staff scientist with the U.S. Air Force, was part of the historic Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP) in 1978 that underwent an intense 120-hour continuous examination of the Shroud in Italy. Dichtl, an electrical engineer and physicist by training, served as the team’s equipment manager overseeing the installation and maintenance of all scientific instruments during the prolonged testing period.
JASON PEARSON GIVES RUDOLPH “RUDY” DICHTL A TOUR OF THE SHROUD OF TURIN: AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE ON DEC. 29. PHOTO BY THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
During his visit to The Shroud of Turin: An Immersive Experience on Dec. 29, Rudy had a chance to meet with the museum’s creative visionary and designer, Jason Pearson, and see the high-tech interactive kiosks that allow visits to examine the many layers of the Shroud of Turin. Museum staff and guests enjoyed hearing Rudy recount stories as he made his way through the museum.
Want to experience the Shroud yourself? Visit TheShroudExperience.com today to purchase tickets.