Would your non-profit like to participate in Twelve?

Download the application and the letter explaining the Twelve program.

Chianti il Ristorante is thrilled to support the Twelve Program, its very own fundraising initiative in support of local non-profit organizations. The program is named after a rare and beautiful bronze panel from the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican that is on display in the restaurant. Through the Twelve Program, you can opt to put a portion of your check toward non-profits in the Saratoga community. On the 12th of each month, you can choose to have 30% of your guest check donated to the featured non-profit.

The panel is one of three known copies of what was once the twelfth of 16 featured on the Holy Door of the Basilica. In 1949, famous Italian bronze sculptor, Vico Consorti, was commissioned by the Vatican to create these panels, each depicting one of the 16 Lessons of Christ. In September of that year, the Vatican approved each of the castings and the door was installed in St. Peter’s. Not long after its completion, Pope Pius XII realized that the 12th panel was incorrect: in the 12th Lesson there’s a “good thief” on Jesus’ right and a “bad thief” on his left. As the Lesson goes, Christ forgives of the “good thief,” so his head should look toward the right. The panel, however, featured Jesus turning to the left, and thus Consorti remade the panel to be correct.

Ultimately, three copies were cast in error before the Pope ordered the incorrect cast destroyed. From what we know, there is one copy in the Vatican Museum, another with the sculptor’s family, and a third, which has been held in the Zecchini family for many years.

It is from this panel that we drew the inspiration for the naming of the Twelve Program. During all 12 months of the year a different non-profit is featured.

Join us on the 12th for a wonderful meal—and a great cause!