San Lorenzo in Panisperna
English name:	St Lawrence's at Panisperna
Dedication:	St Lawrence the Deacon
Denomination:	Roman Catholic
Type:	Titular church,
Clergy:	Franciscans
Titular church	Cardinal Kitbunchu
Built:
Architect(s):	Carlo Rainaldi
Artists:	Giuseppe Ranucci Antonio Nessi Giovanni Francesco Romano
Contact data
Address:	Via Panisperna 90 00184 Roma
Phone:	06 48 36 67

San Lorenzo in Panisperna is dedicated to St Lawrence, the 3rd century Deacon and martyr. Pictures of the church at Wikimedia Commons.[1]

Contents 1 History 2 Exterior 3 Interior 4 Special notes

HistoryEdit

The church stands on the site of St Lawrence's martyrdom. The appellation refers to the name of the street, which in turn most likely refers to the tradition of the Poor Clares in the adjacent convent of distributing bread and ham (pane e perna) on August 10th, the feast day of St Lawrence. The is done in remembrance of St Lawrence distributing funds from the church to the poor.

Tradition claims that the first church here was built during the reign of Emperor Constantine. For some time, it was known as San Lorenzo in Formosa, as Pope Formosus (891-896) built a church here. The first written evidence of the church is from 1300, when Pope Boniface VIII rebuilt the church. An abbey was annexed to it. This was given to the Benedictines in 1451.

The present church is a result of a rebuilding in 1575-1576, under Pope Gregory XIII. It was at this time it became known under its present name.

Jacopo Cardinal Colonna had the foundations restored and ensured the settlement of the Franciscan Friars of St Clare in the adjacent monastery in 1896.

The church is served by Franciscans.

The church was established as a Cardinal title by Pope Leo X. Its current titular is Cardinal Michael Mitchai Kitbunchu, archbishop of Bangkok, who was appointed in 1983.

ExteriorEdit

In front of the church, there is a steep flight of steps, built in 1893, leading to a courtyard lined by trees. There is a

modern bronze statue of St Bridget of Sweden here (see more below). There is also a medieval house with an exterior staircase; this is one of the few such houses that has been preserved in Rome.

The outer portico, from the 17th century, was restored by Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903), who in 1843 was received his episcopal ordination here. A year after the restoration it was decorated with images of Sts Lawrence and Francis of Assisi.

The façade by Carlo Rainaldi is from the 16th century.

InteriorEdit

The church has a single nave with three chapels on each side.

Under the porch is a chapel where an oven believed to be the one on which St Lawrence was roasted alive is kept. Ask the sacristan if you wish to see it.

The late 16th century fresco behind the high altar are said to be by Pasquale Cati, one of Michelangelo's pupils. Probably not one of his best pupils. It depicts the Martyrdom of St Lawrence.

The crucifix by the high altar is from the 14th century.

The first chapel on the right side has a painting of St Clare of Assisi by Antonio Nessi, made in 1756. On the ceiling is a fresco depicting the Glory of St Lawrence by Antonio Bicchierai.

The brothers St Crispin and St Crispinianus are buried in the second chapel on the right. The painting of the saints was made by Giovanni Francesco Romano.

In the last chapel on the right side is a painting of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception by Giuseppe Ranucci.

The first chapel on the left has a painting of The Stigmata of St Francis by Niccolò Lapiccola.

The Chapel of St Bridget is the second on the left. St Bridget of Vadstena was buried here before her body was moved to Sweden. She had used to beg for alms for the poor outside this church, and prayed before the crucifix by the high altar. Now, a martyr named Victoria lies underneath the alter in the chapel. The painting of St Bridget Praying before the Crucifix is by Giuseppe Montesanti, and was painted in 1757.

The last chapel on the left has an 18th century crucifix of the Roman school.

If you ask to be admitted to the presbytery, you can see a dramatic painting of St Lawrence's martyrdom.

Special notesEdit

The feast of St Lawrence is celebrated with great solemnity on 10 August.