On Saturday, December 27, 2025, the altar painting by Vittore Carpaccio, Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints (1518), was solemnly reinstalled in the Friary Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Piran, Slovenia. The painting was returned to its home after spending eighty-five years in Padua. It is a source of joy and real pride to see how, in these times, the friars of the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua (Northern Italy) and the friars of the Province of St. Joseph in Slovenia have taken this significant step together—an eloquent sign of true fraternal life and the concrete fulfillment of St. Francis’ desire: “Peace and All Good.”
Carpaccio’s painting is the first artwork from the Istrian Peninsula to be returned to its original location after being relocated, for its protection, during World War II. From 1940 to 1943, the altar painting was kept at the Villa Manin in Passariano, in the Italian Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. In October of 1943, it was returned to the friars in Padua, the seat of the Province to which the friary in Piran then belonged.
This new homecoming event was a grand celebration not only for the friars but for the entire Piran community. Those present for the celebration included the Vicar General of the Order, Friar Igor SALMIČ; the Minister Provincial of Slovenia, Friar Milan KOS; the Minister Provincial of the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua (Northern Italy), Friar Roberto BRANDINELLI; the Rector of the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua, Friar Antonio RAMINA; the Deputy Mayor of Piran, Manuela ROJEC; and Member of Parliament Meira HOT. Also present were Professor Giovanna BALDISSIN MOLLI of the Museum of St. Anthony in Padua; Tomaž KUNSTELJ, from the department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia that is responsible for restoring works of art to their places of origin; a representative of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Daniele RAMPAZZO; and a number of Conventual Franciscan friars as well as some Friars Minor of the Province of Slovenia.
The painting—now back in its Renaissance niche—was blessed by the Most Reverend Jurij BIZJAK, Bishop Emeritus of Koper, Slovenia.
The next day, Sunday, December 28, the Vicar General, Friar Igor SALMIČ presided over a solemn Mass of Thanksgiving.
The Guardian of the friary in Piran, Friar Janez ŠAMPERL, thanked everyone who had carefully preserved Carpaccio’s 16th century masterpiece and religiously and diplomatically supported returning it to its original home. In particular, Friar Janez thanked his confreres in Padua, Professor Giovanna BALDISSIN MOLLI, and the diplomats present. He also explained that when Carpaccio’s painting was returned home, the friars joyfully gave it the title “Mother of Hope,” in gratitude to all those who, over the decades, helped keep the bond with the painting alive and never lost hope.
Friar Janez ŠAMPERL, Guardian
