San Francesco da Paola
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| San Francesco da Paola ai Monti | |
|---|---|
| | |
| English name: | St Francis of Paola at the Hills |
| Dedication: | St Francis of Paola |
| Denomination: | Roman Catholic |
| Type: | National church |
| Clergy: | Order of Minims |
| National church: | Calabria |
| Built: | 1645-1650 |
| Consecrated: | 1728 |
| Architect(s): | Gioan Pietro Morandi |
| Artists: | G. A. de Rossi Corsini et.al. |
| Contact data | |
| Address: | 10 Piazza di San Francesco a Paola
00184 Roma |
| Phone: | 06 48 80 250 |
San Francesco da Paola ai Monti is a titular church dedicated to St Francis of Paola, the 15th century founder of the Minim Friars.
Contents |
[edit] History
Construction of the church 1645-1650 with funds given by Olympia Aldobrandini Pamphilii, who had roots in Calabria, the southern Italian region St Francis of Paola was born in. It was given to his order, and also became the national church of the Calabrians. It was designed by Gioan Pietro Morandi.
It was not until 10 July 1728 that it was consecrated, by Pope Benedict XIII.
It was restored in 1826 by Pope Leo XII.
It is connected to the Generalate of the Order of Minims, and is served by priests from that order.
The present titular deacon of the church is Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, who was created Cardinal on 21 October 2003.
[edit] Exterior
The 12th century Torre dei Margani was transformed into a bell-tower for the church. The medieval coat-of-arms on the tower has been preserved.
The lower part of the façade was refinished in plaster in the 18th century.
[edit] Interior
The late Baroque high altar was made by Giovanni Antonio de Rossi c. 1655. The altarpiece is of exceptional beauty. A wooden tabernacle, of great workmanship, is set in a sculptured entrance of a military pavilion. The pavilion is a reference to the original meaning of tabernacle, a tent. It also refers to God's presence among the Jews when they carried the Ark of the Covenant with them and kept it in a tent-temple - God is present in this tabernacle as He was with the Jews. The work is attributed to Giovanni Antonio de Rossi.
The icon of St Francis of Paola is said to be a copy of a portrait. Scenes from the life and miracles of the saint can be seen in the sacristy; please ask before entering.
The ceiling was redecorated with cassettes in 1953 by Cesare Minestra.
By the door to the presbytery are the tombs of Lazzarro Pallavicini and Giovanni Pizzullo, both with busts by Agostino Corsini.
The first chapel on the right side is dedicated to St Anne, St Joachim and the Madonna. The altarpiece is by Filippo Luzi. The frescoes in the ceiling are by Onofrio Avellino.
The second chapel on the right has two paintings of miracles of St Francis of Paola by Giuseppe Chiari.
The third chapel on the right is frescoed by Antonio Grecolini, and has a depiction of Sts Francis of Paola and Francis of Sales, patrons of the Order.
On the left side, the first chapel has a painting of St Michael the Archangel by Giacomo Triga. The mortal remains of Blessed Nicola da Langobardi are preserved in a porphyry urn.
The ceiling of the sacristy was painted by Sassoferrato. The motif is The Blessed Virgin appearing to St Francis of Paola. On the side wall is the Crucifixion and St Francis of Paola by Francesco Cozza. Special notes
[edit] Special notes
The church is often closed, but you may ask to be admitted at the monastery.
Feasts that are celebrated with special solemnity are those of Blessed Nicola da Langobardi on 3 February and of St Francis of Paola on 2 April.
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