Santa Francesca Romana
From Churches of Rome Wiki
Santa Francesca Romana St Francesca Romana
4 Piazza di Santa Francesca Romana, 00186 Roma Tel. (06) 67 95 528
Church dedicated to St Francesca Romana, patron of motorists. History
When the Santa Maria Antiqua in the Forum Romanum had fallen into disuse by the 10th century, and consequently disrepair, this church was built. An oratory dedicated to Sts Peter and Paul stood on the site earlier. The church is built on the foundations of the ancient temple of Venus and Rome. It was called Santa Maria Nuova, New St Mary's.
It was destroyed by fire at some time before or during the pontificate of Honorius III (1216-1227), and was rebuilt by that pope.
In the 14th century it became an abbey of the Olivetan Benedictines. The Olivetans still serve the church.
After the canonization of St Francesca in 1608, it was rededicated to her and restored.
The current titular priest of this church is H.E. Angelo Cardinal Sodano, who is also titular Bishop of Albano. Exterior
The Romanesque campanile is from the 11th century. Interior
On the entrance wall are two paintings: Madonna Enthroned between St Benedict and St Francesca Romana by Girolamo da Cremona and Madonna Enthroned with Saints by Sinibaldo Ibi (1545).
The relics of St Francesca, a married Roman woman and the foundress of a female community connected to the abbey on a property near the Palatine, were discovered in the convent of Tor de'Specchi in 1638 and moved to the crypt of this church. The crypt in its present form dates from 1858. The relics, her skeleton vested in the habit of her Oblate Sisters, are on display. A prayer book lies open in her hands, at the 72nd psalm - legend tells that she was saying the Office of Our Lady on the day she died, but as her husband called for her four times she never managed to complete the verse. When she finally got back to her prayers, she found inscribed in letters of gold: "Thou hast taken me by my right hand and by thy will thou has conducted me and with glory thou hast received me." The crypt is entered via a staircase at the extreme right after ascending the steps to the sanctuary. Please note that if you enter just before Mass is to be celebrated, you will not be able to leave the crypt without disturbing the celebration.
The relics of St Lucilla are also preserved here, translated to the church by Pope Gregory V (996-999).
In the sanctuary, there is a 12th century (probably completed in 1161) mosaic of the Blessed Virgin with Child between the apostles James, John, Peter and Andrew. Another 12th century piece, an icon of the Madonna and Child, can be seen above the altar. It was revealed as late as 1950 and detached from another, older painting. The older one, also a Madonna with Child is probably from the 6th century, and may have come from Santa Maria Antiqua. It is kept in the sacristy, and can be seen by appointment.
To the right of the sanctuary is the tomb of pope Gregory XI, who returned the papal seat to Rome after the exile in Avignon. It was made by Pier Paolo Olivieri, and set up here in 1585. On the monument, St Catherine of Siena can be seen close to the returning pope.
To the left can be seen a 15th century holy oil aumbry in renaissance style. Over the high altar is an icon of Our Lady, dating from the 6th or 7th century. It was thought to be a medieval icon, until the ancient icon was discovered under a later layer of paint.
Standing in the nave by the confessio there is a painting on the right-hand side of St Andrew welcoming his cross of martyrdom.
Two flagstones in the south wall of the church are said to bear the imprints of the knees of Sts Peter and Paul. According to legend, the magician Simon Magus wanted to prove that his powers were superior to those of the Apostles. To do this, he levitated himself above the Forum. The two Apostles fell to their knees and prayed that God would humble Simon Magus, which He did with a vengeance - Simon immediately fell to his death.
In the vestibule of the side entrance are two tombs. The monument of Marino Cardinal Vulcanini (died 1394; also known as Bulcani) was made in the 15th century by Paolo Romano. The other tomb is that of Antonio da Rio (Rido), castellan of Castel Sant'Angelo, made c. 1450.
In the sacristy you can see the ancient painting mentioned above, and also paintings of Pope Paul III and Reginald Cardinal Pole attributed to Perino del Vaga; fragments of medieval frescoes and the Miracle of St Benedict by Pierre Subleyras. Special notes
On March 9th, Roman drivers park their cars as close as possible to the church to have their vehicles blessed. The inevitable chaos can be quite entertaining.
© Chri
