As a child, Father Rich Kunst collected coins and then celebrity autographs, mainly from politicians. But once he learned that papal autographs were available, and especially as he developed an interest in the Church and was considering priesthood, he lost any interest in any other type of celebrity autograph.
The first two items he bought — with a loan from his sister back in the early 1990s — were autographs of Pope Paul VI and Pope John XXIII, both signed when they were cardinals. And with the birth of the Internet, his interest broadened to anything associated with the pope, the Vatican, the Swiss Guard and, eventually, “even saints,” he said.
Father Rich Kunst
Today, a priest of the Diocese of Duluth, he has the largest collection of papal-related material outside of Rome. Father Kunst said the most significant items in his collection will be on display Aug. 19-21 at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. He recently joined “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley to describe his collection and the upcoming exhibit.
Father Kunst said that some people he has privately shown items from his collection “literally cry because they are moved on a spiritual level,” he said.
He hopes visitors find the exhibit educational in learning about the popes and saints, but also to be inspired by it, and “inspired in the faith.” “I’ve had so many people say, ‘I’ll never get to Rome or I’ll never get to meet the pope. This is the closest I’ll ever get.’ So, it really does move people,” he said.
In addition, the exhibit is a fundraiser. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Stella Maris Academy in Duluth and Star of the North Home, which serves homeless women of young children, giving them support and shelter, he said.
Father Kunst said his collection will never be sold. “It’s going to stay within the Church officially,” he said. “That’s my intention for it.” It’s not about building bigger barns to put more things in, he said. “This is all for the greater glory of God.”
Some of Father Kunst’s favorite items in his collection include the chasuble (a Mass vestment) that Pope John Paul II wore at World Youth Day in Denver, and the complete set of lead seals that shut the doors of the conclave that elected John Paul II. “I’m particularly fond of John Paul II, as my favorite saint, my favorite pope,” he said. “So, anything connected with him is pretty important to me.”
That would include what Father Kunst called “maybe the holy grail of John Paul II autographs.” To learn what that is, and to hear the full interview, tune in to the 9 p.m. July 29 “Practicing Catholic” show, which repeats at 1 p.m. July 30 and 2 p.m. July 31 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.
To learn more about the exhibit and to purchase tickets, visit vaticanunveiled.com. To visit Father Kunst’s website, go to papalartifacts.com.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with primary care physician Karen Dalton, who discusses common causes of infertility and seeking care through NaPro technology; and Judy George of Pietra Fitness and a member of the Curatio health care apostolate, who offers hope to those experiencing chronic illness and those who care for them.
Listen to their interviews after they have aired at:
Practicing Catholic on Spotify
Recent Comments