Praying With The Saints
In Rome
A Guide For Finding And Praying With The Saints
Throughout The Liturgical Year
In Rome.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
August
August 1st
Memorial of Alphonsus Liguori, bishop and doctor
St Alphonsus Liguori (d. 1787, Pagani, Italy) (Relics: Pagani, Italy)
Santuario della Madonna del Perpetuo Soccorso
(Sanctuary of Our Lady of Perpetual Help)
Via Merulana 26
Rome, Italy
*This church is just south of the Basilica of St Mary Major. It is dedicated to St Alphonsus Liguori.
*The miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin Mary entitled Our Lady of Perpetual Help is above the main altar.
Santa Maria ai Monti
(Our Lady at the Hills)
Via della Madonna dei Monti 41
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Cavour metro stop.
*St Alphonsus Liguori said Mass here from April to June of 1762.
*This church was built due to a miraculous discovery of an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary in a nearby Poor Clare convent. To celebrate this great find Pope Gregory XIII (d. 1585) commissioned the building of this church. This miraculous image is now placed above the main altar.
August 2nd
Optional memorial of Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop
St Eusebius of Vercelli (d. 371, Vercelli, Italy) (Relics: Vercelli, Italy)
Sant'Eusebio (Saint Eusebius)
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele 12a
Rome, Italy
*This church is southeast of the Basilica of St Mary Major. It is dedicated to St Eusebius but probably not to St Eusebius the Bishop. Instead by tradition the remains of three early martyrs rest here: Eusebius, Orosius and Paulinus.
August 2nd
Optional memorial of Peter Julian Eymard, priest
St Peter Julian Eymard (d. 1868, La Mure, France) (Relics: Rome, Italy; Paris, France)
Chiesa San Claudio
(Church of Saint Claudius)
Via del Pozzetto 160
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Spanish Steps.
*A relic of St Peter Julian Eymard is placed within a statue of his likeness that rests within an urn on the right side of the nave.
*This church is managed by priests from the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament which St Peter Julian Eymard founded in 1856.
August 4th
Memorial of John Vianney, priest
St John Vianney (d. 1859, Ars-sur-Formans, France) (Relics: Ars-sur-Formans, France)
August 5th
Optional memorial of The Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major
Basilica of St Mary Major
Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore 42
Rome, Italy
*A tradition claims that on a hot August 5th morning in 352 AD the ground where this basilica now stands was found covered in snow. Through a vision that same night a wealthy childless couple were asked to build a church in this spot dedicated to Mary. Thus was born the tradition of Our Lady of the Snows. This tradition is also partially supported by the fact that the Liber Pontificalis credits Pope Liberius, who lived during the time of this miracle, with the building of a church at this location. However, this document makes no mention of the miracle of the snow. In fact even Pope Sixtus III, who a century later rebuilt this first church into what is today the Basilica of St Mary Major, makes no mention of this miracle during his dedication. Therefore, historians remain incredulous. In fact, the first textual evidence of this story occurs only in the 9th century. Nevertheless, every year on August 5th this basilica keeps this tradition alive by releasing thousands of white petals into the air to imitate that first miraculous snowfall.
August 6th
Feast of The Transfiguration
St Peter’s Basilica
Altar of the Transfiguration
*This altar is located on the left side of the nave near the sacristy.
*A mosaic above this altar depicts the Transfiguration of Christ. The original was completed by Raphael and now rests within the Vatican Museums.
*The body of Blessed Innocent XI (d. 1689) rests below this mosaic.
Santa Maria della Concezione
(Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception)
Via Veneto 27
Rome, Italy
*This church is just north of the Barberini metro stop.
*The second chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to the Transfiguration. The altarpiece was completed by Mario Balassi in 1667.
August 7th
Optional memorial of Sixtus II, pope and martyr, and Companions, martyrs
St Sixtus II (d. 258, Rome, Italy) (Relics: Rome, Italy)
San Sisto Vecchio (Old Saint Sixtus)
Piazzale Numa Pompilio 8
Rome, Italy
*This church is south of the Colosseum.
*The relics of St Sixtus II were moved from the Catacombs of San Callisto to this church. A small stone located within the wall on the left side of the nave marks their location.
*Pope Honorius III gave this church to the Dominican order with the issue of a Papal Bull dated December 3, 1218. This was the first Dominican monastery in Rome.
*The Miracle of the Bread attributed to St Dominic occurred within the refectory of this monastery. Upon request this room can be visited.
Catacombs of San Callisto
Via Appia Antica 110/126
Rome, Italy
*These catacombs are located south of the Aurelian Walls.
*It was at this location in the year 258 that Roman soldiers burst into a chapel and arrested St Sixtus II and four other deacons while they were celebrating the liturgy. St Lawrence (d. 258) was not among this group; however, a legend holds that St Lawrence was able to speak to St Sixtus just before the pope was martyred. In this conversation St Sixtus said to St Lawrence, “You shall follow me in three days.” St Lawrence then in three days went on to suffer his own martyrdom by being burnt alive on a gridiron.
*St Sixtus II, St Pontian (d. 235), St Fabian (d. 250), St Cornelius (d. 253) and a number of other early popes were originally buried here within the Papal Crypt. The remains of St Sixtus II were later moved to San Sisto Vecchio, the remains of St Fabian to San Sebastiano Fuori Le Mura, and the remains of St Cornelius to Santa Maria in Trastevere.
*St Cecilia was also buried in these catacombs. In 821 her remains were removed and taken to Santa Cecilia in Trastevere.
Santi Domenico e Sisto
(Saints Dominic and Sixtus)
Largo Angelicum 1
Rome, Italy
*This church is connected to the Angelicum University. It is dedicated to St Dominic (d. 1221) and to St Sixtus II.
August 7th
Optional memorial of Cajetan, priest
St Cajetan (d. 1547, Naples, Italy) (Relics: Naples, Italy)
San Nicola dei Prefetti
(Saint Nicholas of the Prefects)
Via dei Prefetti 34
Rome, Italy
*This church is north of the Pantheon.
*In 1524 St Cajetan established his new religious order of Theatines in this church. However, they were forced out during the sacking of Rome in 1527.
Sant'Andrea della Valle
(Saint Andrew of the Valley)
Piazza Vidoni 6 / Piazza Sant'Andrea della Valle
Rome, Italy
*This church is located along the Corso Vittorio Emanuele. It was built by the Theatines in the 17th century.
*The chapel with the Blessed Sacrament on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Cajetan.
August 8th
Memorial of Dominic, priest
St Dominic (d. 1221, Bologna, Italy) (Relics: Bologna, Italy)
Santa Sabina (Saint Sabina)
Piazza Pietro d'Illiria 1
Rome, Italy
*This church is located on the Aventine Hill just south of Circo Massimo.
*In 1219 St Dominic and his friars received permission to move into this church. Three years later, on June 5, 1222, the church was given in perpetuity to the Dominican Order by Pope Honorius III. Today it serves as the Order’s General Curia. The room in which St Dominic lived has been converted into a chapel and can be visited with permission. Also in the garden, visible from the narthex, is an orange tree that is said to have been planted by St Dominic himself.
*The first chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Dominic. Within this chapel is a polished black stone that the Devil is said to have thrown at St Dominic.
San Sisto Vecchio (Old Saint Sixtus)
Piazzale Numa Pompilio 8
Rome, Italy
*This church is south of the Colosseum.
*Pope Honorius III gave this church to the Dominican order with the issue of a Papal Bull dated December 3, 1218. This was the first Dominican monastery in Rome.
*The Miracle of the Bread attributed to St Dominic occurred within the refectory of this monastery. Upon request this room can be visited.
*The relics of St Sixtus II were moved from the Catacombs of San Callisto to this church. A small stone located within the wall on the left side of the nave marks their location.
Santi Domenico e Sisto
(Saint Dominic and Sixtus)
Largo Angelicum 1
Rome, Italy
*This church is connected to the Angelicum University. It is dedicated to St Dominic and to St Sixtus II (d. 258).
Santa Maria sopra Minerva
(Our Lady Above Minerva)
Piazza della Minerva 42
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Pantheon.
*Within the second chapel on the right side of the nave are several frescoes by Gaspare Celio depicting episodes from the life of St Dominic. Also the Blessed Sacrament Chapel within the left transept is dedicated to St Dominic.
*The body of St Catherine of Siena (d. 1380) rests under the main altar.
Basilica di San Clemente
(Basilica of Saint Clement)
Via di San Giovanni in Laterano
Rome, Italy
*This church is east of the Colosseum.
*The chapel located in the back right corner of the nave is dedicated to St Dominic. Three paintings within this chapel depict scenes from his life.
*The remains of St Clement I (d. 97) and of St Ignatius of Antioch (d. 107) are beneath the main altar.
*Also a chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to Saints Cyril (d. 869) and Methodius (d. 885). The extant remains of St Cyril rest within the altar of this chapel.
Santa Maria del Rosario in Prati
(Our Lady of the Rosary in Prati)
Via Germanico 94
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Ottaviano metro stop. It is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary.
*A statue of St Dominic is placed within the fourth chapel on the right side of the nave.
August 9th
Optional memorial of Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, virgin and martyr
St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (d. 1942, Auschwitz, Poland)
August 10th
Feast of Lawrence, deacon and martyr
St Lawrence (d. 258, Rome, Italy) (Relics: Rome, Italy)
San Lorenzo fuori le Mura
(Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls)
Piazzale del Verano 3
Rome, Italy
*This church is east of the Aurelian Walls.
*The remains of St Lawrence, St Stephen, and St Justin lie in the confessio below the main altar. (Note: The relics are labeled as St Justin the Presbyter. Therefore, it is likely that this is not St Justin the Martyr.)
*A marble stone slab beneath the choir floor is said to be the stone on which St Lawrence was placed after his execution. Also enshrined in this lower area is the body of Blessed Pius IX (d. 1878).
San Lorenzo in Panisperna
(Saint Lawrence in Panisperna)
Via Panisperna 90
Rome, Italy
*This church is west of the Basilica of St Mary Major. It is often closed during the week. However, it is always open for the faithful during Sunday liturgies.
*This church rests over the spot of St Lawrence’s martyrdom. A chapel built under the porch marks where it occurred. Within this chapel is the oven that was used to roast St Lawrence alive.
*Within the church the second chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Bridget (d. 1373). Her body was originally buried in this chapel before being moved to Sweden. She used to beg for alms for the poor outside of this church and prayed before the crucifix by the main altar.
San Lorenzo in Lucina
(Saint Lawrence in Lucina)
Via in Lucina 16/a
Rome, Italy
*This church is north of the Pantheon.
*The grill used to burn St Lawrence is preserved under the altar in the first chapel on the right side of the nave. This chapel also contains a number of paintings that depict scenes from the life of St Lawrence.
San Lorenzo in Fonte
(Saint Lawrence at the Spring)
Via Urbana 50
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Cavour metro stop.
*Tradition holds that this was the location of St Lawrence’s imprisonment.
San Lorenzo in Miranda
(Saint Lawrence in Miranda)
Via in Miranda 10
Rome, Italy
*This church is in the Roman Forum. It is not open often.
*A tradition suggests that this was the location where St Lawrence was condemned.
San Lorenzo in Damaso
(Saint Lawrence in Damaso)
Piazza della Cancelleria 1
Rome, Italy
*This church is at the Palazzo della Cancelleria near Campo de' Fiori. It is dedicated to St Lawrence.
San Lorenzo in Palatio ad Sancta Sanctorum
(Saint Lawrence in the Palace at the Holy of Holies)
Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano
Rome, Italy
*This is a private chapel at the top of the Scala Santa. It is dedicated to St Lawrence.
Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls
Via Ostiense 186
Rome, Italy
*This basilica is south of the Aurelian Walls.
*In the right transept is a small chapel dedicated to St Lawrence.
*St Paul is buried in the confessio. Above his tomb are the chains that were used to imprison him prior to his martyrdom. These chains were placed in this prominent location in 2008.
*Also a crucifix that is said to have spoken to St Bridget in 1370 is in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
August 11th
Memorial of Clare, virgin
St Clare (d. 1253, Assisi, Italy) (Relics: Assisi, Italy)
Santa Chiara (Saint Clare)
Piazza S. Chiara 42
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Pantheon. It is dedicated to St Clare.
*Presently this church serves as the chapel for the seminarians at the French College.
San Lorenzo in Panisperna
(Saint Lawrence in Panisperna)
Via Panisperna 90
Rome, Italy
*This church is west of the Basilica of St Mary Major. It is often closed during the week. However, it is always open for the faithful during Sunday liturgies.
*The first chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to St Clare.
*This church also rests over the spot of St Lawrence’s martyrdom. A chapel built under the porch marks where it occurred. Within this chapel is the oven that was used to roast St Lawrence alive.
Sant’Antonio da Padova
(Saint Anthony of Padua)
Via Merulana 124
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Basilica of St John Lateran.
*The second chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Clare.
August 12th
Optional memorial of Jane Frances de Chantal, religious
St Jane Frances de Chantal (d. 1641, Moulins, France) (Relics: Annecy, France)
August 13th
Optional memorial of Pontian, pope and martyr; Hippolytus, priest and martyr
St Pontian (d. 235, Sardinia, Italy)
St Hippolytus (d. 235, Sardinia, Italy)
In 235 both St Pontian and St Hippolytus were banished to the salt mines of Sardinia. At some point after their deaths their remains were returned to Rome. St Pontian was buried in the Catacombs of San Callisto as noted below and St Hippolytus was buried on the Via Tiburtina.
Catacombs of San Callisto
Via Appia Antica 110/126
Rome, Italy
*These catacombs are located south of the Aurelian Walls.
*St Pontian, St Fabian (d. 250), St Cornelius (d. 253), St Sixtus II (d. 258), and a number of other early popes were originally buried here within the Papal Crypt. The remains of St Fabian were later moved to San Sebastiano Fuori Le Mura, the remains of St Cornelius to Santa Maria in Trastevere, and the remains of St Sixtus II to San Sisto Vecchio.
*It was also at this location in the year 258 that Roman soldiers burst into a chapel and arrested St Sixtus II and four other deacons while they were celebrating the liturgy. St Lawrence (d. 258) was not among this group; however, a legend holds that St Lawrence was able to speak to St Sixtus just before the pope was martyred. In this conversation St Sixtus said to St Lawrence, “You shall follow me in three days.” St Lawrence then in three days went on to suffer his own martyrdom by being burnt alive on a gridiron.
*St Cecilia was also buried in these catacombs. In 821 her remains were removed and taken to Santa Cecilia in Trastevere.
August 14th
Optional memorial of Maximilian Mary Kolbe, priest and martyr
St Maximilian Mary Kolbe (d. 1941, Auschwitz, Poland)
Sant'Andrea delle Fratte
(Saint Andrew of the Bushes)
Via Sant'Andrea delle Fratte 1
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Spanish Steps.
*The third altar on the left side of the nave is where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Ratisbonne, an agnostic Jew, in 1842. Ratisbonne converted on the spot. In 1918 St Maximilian Mary Kolbe offered his first Mass in this very same chapel.
Santi Apostoli (Holy Apostles)
Piazza dei Santi Apostoli 51
Rome, Italy
*This church is just east of Piazza Venezia.
*The third chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to St Anthony of Padua. On the altar is a picture of St Maximilian Kolbe.
*Also upon a column within the second chapel on the left side of the nave is a monument honoring the 50th anniversary of St Maximilian Kolbe’s martyrdom.
*Relics of St Philip and St James the Less also rest in the confessio.
Parrocchia Santa Dorotea
(Parish of Saint Dorothy)
Via San Dorotea 23
Rome, Italy
*This church is in Trastevere
*A small statue of St Maximilian Mary Kolbe is in the left transept.
August 15th
Solemnity of The Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary
Santa Maria in Trastevere
(Our Lady in Trastevere)
Via della Paglia 14 / Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere
Rome, Italy
*This church is located in Trastevere. It is dedicated to the Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary. A painting of the Assumption by Domenico Zampieri can be seen in the middle of the coffered wooden ceiling.
*Relics of the two popes St Callistus I (d. 222) and St Cornelius (d. 253) rest under the main altar of this church. These relics are joined by others in particular those of the priest and martyr St Calepodius (d. 232).
Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls
Via Ostiense 186
Rome, Italy
*This church is south of the Aurelian Walls.
*The chapel in the right transept is dedicated to the Assumption of our Lady.
*St Paul is buried in the confessio. Above his tomb are the chains that were used to imprison him prior to his martyrdom. These chains were placed in this prominent location in 2008.
*Also a crucifix that is said to have spoken to St Bridget in 1370 is in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
Basilica of St John Lateran
Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano 4
Rome, Italy
*Within the second chapel on the left side of the nave is a painting of the Assumption by Giovanni Odazzi.
Santo Spirito in Sassia
(Holy Spirit in Sassia)
Via dei Penitenzieri 12
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Vatican.
*The second chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to the Assumption.
Santissima Trinità dei Monti
(Most Holy Trinity of the Mounts)
Piazza della Trinità dei Monti
Rome, Italy
*This church is at the top of the Spanish Steps.
*Within the third chapel on the right side of the nave is a painting of Mary entitled The Assumption of the Virgin. This masterpiece was completed by Daniele da Volterra.
La Maddalena (The Magdalene)
Piazza della Maddalena 53
Rome, Italy
*This church is just north of the Pantheon.
*The first chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption.
*In the chapel in the right transept is a miraculous crucifix that is said to have spoken to St Camillus de Lellis.
* In the third chapel on the right side of the nave are the remains of St Camillus de Lellis. He lived in the adjacent monastery and died here in 1614. His rooms can be visited by asking the sacristan. One of these rooms has been transformed into a chapel and contains the relic of his heart.
Santa Maria della Scala
(Our Lady of the Staircase)
Piazza della Scala 23
Rome, Italy
*This church is located in Trastevere
*The second chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to the Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary.
*The right foot of St Teresa of Avila (d. 1582) rests within a beautiful chapel to the left of the main sanctuary. It was gifted to this church in 1617. (This chapel is not visible from the nave of the church and it is rarely open to the public. However, if one kindly asks the sacristan access may be granted. If the sacristan is not present he or she can be called at the neighboring convent door.)
FOR ADDITIONAL MARIAN CHURCHES TO VISIT PLEASE SEE THE LINK AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE.
August 16th
Optional memorial of Stephen of Hungary
St Stephen of Hungary (d. 1038, Hungary) (Relics: Budapest, Hungary)
Santo Stefano Rotondo al Celio
(Saint Stephen’s Rotundo at the Celio)
Via di Santo Stefano Rotondo 7 / Via di Santo Stefano 7
Rome, Italy
*This church is southeast of the Colosseum. It is not open often.
*This is the Hungarian national church and it is dedicated to St Stephen of Hungary.
August 19th
Optional memorial of John Eudes, priest
St John Eudes (d. 1680, Caen, France)
August 20th
Memorial of Bernard, abbot and doctor
St Bernard (d. 1153, Clairvaux, France) (Relics: Troyes, France)
Tre Fontane (The Three Fountains)
Via Acque Salvie 1
Rome, Italy
*Located south of the Aurelian Walls.
*There are three churches located at this shrine, one of which is the church of Santa Maria Scala Coeli. This is the first church on the right as one enters. A crypt below the main sanctuary is believed to be the location where St Paul was imprisoned prior to his martyrdom. Also in this crypt St Bernard had a vision of souls entering heaven by a ladder, hence the name of the church which in English means Our Lady Stairway to Heaven.
*A second church on this property, San Paolo alle Tre Fontane, is believed to mark the spot of St Paul’s martyrdom. This is the church located on the backside of the property. Legend says that after St Paul was decapitated his head bounced three times and with each bounce a fountain of water sprang up. Three grated areas along the eastern wall of this church cover up the locations of these three fountains. Also within this church is the column to which St Paul was bound and the table upon which he died.
San Bernardo alle Terme
(Saint Bernard at the Baths)
Via Torino 94
Rome, Italy
*This church is north of Piazza della Repubblica. It is dedicated to St Bernard.
*A very moving painting depicting a mystical vision of St Bernard being embraced by the crucified Christ is on the right side. It was completed by Giovanni Odazzi in the early 18th century.
Santissimo Nome di Maria al Foro Traiano
(The Most Holy Name of Mary at Trajan’s Forum)
Piazza Foro Traiano 89
Rome, Italy
*This church is near Trajan’s column just east of Piazza Venezia.
*The second chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Bernard.
August 21st
Memorial of Pius X, pope
St Pius X (d. 1914, Rome, Italy) (Relics: Rome, Italy)
St Peter’s Basilica
Rome, Italy
Presentation Chapel
*Located on the left side of the nave between the Baptistry and the Wedding Chapel.
*The body of St Pius X rests under the altar in this chapel. He is known in particular for lowering the age of First Communion to the Age of Reason.
San Giuseppe al Trionfale
(Saint Joseph at the Trionfale)
Via Bernardino Telesio 4/B
Rome, Italy
*This church is located in the Trionfale district just north of the Vatican.
*The chapel to the left of the main sanctuary is dedicated to St Pius X.
Sant’Onofrio (Saint Onuphrius)
Piazza di Sant’Onofrio 2
Rome, Italy
*This church is on the Janiculum Hill.
*The second chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Pius X.
August 22nd
Memorial of The Queenship of The Blessed Virgin Mary
Santi Giovanni e Paolo
(Saints John and Paul)
Piazza dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo 13
Rome, Italy
*This church is south of the Colosseum.
*A chapel in the left transept is dedicated to the Coronation of The Blessed Virgin Mary.
*Located beneath this church is a complex of well preserved ancient Roman houses. Among these is an ancient house church. These ruins can be visited.
*St Paul of the Cross (d. 1775) is buried under the altar in the large side chapel on the right side of the nave. Upon request one can visit the room in which he died in the monastery adjacent to the church.
San Lorenzo in Damaso
(Saint Lawrence in Damaso)
Piazza della Cancelleria 1
Rome, Italy
*This church is at the Palazzo della Cancelleria near Campo de' Fiori.
*The altarpiece in the main sanctuary, completed by Federico Zuccari in the 16th century, depicts the Coronation of The Blessed Virgin Mary.
Gesu e Maria (Jesus and Mary)
Via del Corso 45
Rome, Italy
*This church is near Piazza del Popolo. It is dedicated to the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.
*The large painting in the main sanctuary depicts the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was completed by Giacinto Brandi in the 17th century.
Chiesa Nuova (New Church)
Via del Governo Vecchio 134
Rome, Italy
*This church is along the Corso Vittorio Emanuele.
*The chapel within the right transept is dedicated to the Coronation of The Blessed Virgin Mary.
*The body of St Philip Neri (d. 1595) is enshrined in the left transept. His private rooms can be visited on certain days of the week. They are located in the right wall of the left transept.
Santo Spirito in Sassia
(Holy Spirit in Sassia)
Via dei Penitenzieri 12
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Vatican.
*The second chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
FOR ADDITIONAL MARIAN CHURCHES TO VISIT PLEASE SEE THE LINK AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE.
August 23rd
Optional memorial of Rose of Lima, virgin
St Rose of Lima (d. 1617, Lima, Peru) (Relics: Lima, Peru)
Santa Maria sopra Minerva
(Our Lady Above Minerva)
Piazza della Minerva 42
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Pantheon.
*Within the third chapel on the right side of the nave are a number of works by Lazzaro Baldi depicting events from the life of St Rose of Lima.
*Also the body of St Catherine of Siena (d. 1380) rests under the main altar.
August 24th
Feast of Bartholomew, apostle
St Bartholomew (Relics: Rome, Italy; Benevento, Italy; Lipari, Sicily; Frankfurt, Germany)
According to the Roman Martyrology St Bartholomew suffered martyrdom in the Roman province of Armenia. It is recorded that he was first skinned alive and then put to death by decapitation. Five centuries later and half-way across the Mediterranean his relics were found in Lipari, Sicily. Most likely they arrived here through normal means; however, a pious tradition contends that this transfer occurred miraculously. This tradition claims that the sarcophagus of St Bartholomew was thrown into the sea by infidels. It then floated upon the water until it finally and miraculously came to the shores of the tiny island of Lipari. Regardless, how the relics arrived they remained on this island until the middle of the 9th century. At this time they were transferred to Benevento, Italy and then in the latter part of the 10th century they were brought to Rome by the Holy Roman Emperor, Otto III, where they were interred in the church of San Bartolomeo all’Isola on Tiber Island. This final transfer, however, is contested by the city of Benevento which continues to claim possession of the true relics of St Bartholomew.
San Bartolomeo all'Isola
(Saint Bartholomew on the Island)
Piazza San Bartolomeo, Tiber Island
Rome, Italy
*Relics of St Bartholomew rest within the red porphyry basin that supports the main altar.
*Enshrined in each of the side altars are relics of recent martyrs from around the world.
*The Holy Roman Emperor, Otto III, began building San Bartolomeo all’Isola in 998 to honor his friend St Adalbert (d. 997) who had recently been martyred. An arm of St Adalbert is currently enshrined in the chapel to the left of the main sanctuary. It rests within a little metal box placed under the altar of this chapel.
*This church also housed the relics of St Paulinus of Nola (d. 431) for about 1000 years until they were transferred to the Italian city of Nola in 1909.
San Bartolomeo e Alessandro dei Bergamaschi
(Saints Bartholomew and Alexander of the People of Bergamo)
Via di Pietra 70, Piazza Colonna
Rome, Italy
*This church is off the Via del Corso near the Piazza Colonna. It is not open often. It is dedicated to St Bartholomew and St Alexander.
August 25th
Optional memorial of Louis
St Louis (d. 1270, Tunis, Tunisia) (Relics: Monreale, Sicily; Saint Denis, France)
San Luigi dei Francesi
(Saint Louis of the French)
Piazza San Luigi dei Francesi 5
Rome, Italy
*This church is near Piazza Navona and it is dedicated to St Louis.
*The third chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Louis. A number of paintings placed within this chapel depict scenes from his life. Of particular interest is the painting on the right side-wall completed by Ludovico Gimignani which depicts St Louis receiving the Crown of Thorns in Paris. This unique relic, which is still preserved in this city, was first received by St Louis in 1239. It is now located within the treasury of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. On First Fridays throughout the year and on every Friday during lent this relic is brought out for public veneration.
August 25th
Optional memorial of Joseph Calasanz, priest
St Joseph Calasanz (d. 1648, Rome, Italy) (Relics: Rome, Italy)
San Pantaleo (Saint Pantaleon)
Piazza San Pantaleo / Piazza dei Massimi 4
Rome, Italy
*This church is located along the Corso Vittorio Emanuele.
*The relics of St Joseph Calasanz rest under the main altar. His rooms can be visited in the adjacent convent.
Santa Maria ai Monti
(Our Lady at the Hills)
Via della Madonna dei Monti 41
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Cavour metro stop.
*St Joseph Calasanz would often visit the miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin Mary in this church. A plaque on the wall honors his devotion. This miraculous image is now placed above the main altar of this church.
August 27th
Memorial of Monica
St Monica (d. 387, Ostia, Italy) (Relics: Rome, Italy)
Sant'Agostino (Saint Augustine)
Piazza Sant'Agostino
Rome, Italy
*This church is near Piazza Navona.
*Relics of St Monica, the mother of St Augustine, rest within the Blessed Sacrament Chapel just to the left of the main sanctuary.
Sant’Aurea a Ostia Antica
(Saint Aurea at Old Ostia)
Piazza della Rocca 13
00119 Rome, Italy
*This church is located just south of Rome at Ostia Antica.
*On the right side of the nave is a chapel dedicated to St Monica. For many centuries her remains rested in this chapel. In 1425 they were relocated to the church of Sant’Agostino where they rest today.
*Within this chapel is a work by Pietro da Cortona entitled the Ecstasy of St Monica.
Santa Monica dei Agostini
(Saint Monica of the Augustines)
Piazza del Sant'Uffizio
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Vatican and it is dedicated to St Monica. It is not open often.
August 28th
Memorial of Augustine, bishop and doctor
St Augustine (d. 430, Annaba, Algeria) (Relics: Pavia, Italy; Annaba, Algeria)
Sant'Agostino (Saint Augustine)
Piazza Sant'Agostino
Rome, Italy
*This church is near Piazza Navona.
*The chapel in the right transept is dedicated to St Augustine.
*Also the relics of St Augustine’s mother, St Monica (d. 387), rest in the chapel to the left of the main altar.
Gesu e Maria (Jesus and Mary)
Via del Corso 45
Rome, Italy
*This church is near Piazza del Popolo. It is dedicated to the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.
*The painting in the third chapel on the left side of the nave depicts St Augustine and St Monica venerating an image of Our Lady of Divine Help (Madonna del Divino Aiuto).
August 29th
Memorial of The Beheading of John the Baptist, martyr
St John the Baptist (Relics: Rome, Italy; Florence, Italy; Siena, Italy; Amiens, France; Munich, Germany; Damascus, Syria)
San Silvestro in Capite
(Saint Sylvester in Capite)
Piazza San Silvestro
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Spanish Steps.
*A relic of the skull of St John the Baptist is within the chapel to the left of the main entrance. The authenticity is uncertain since this same relic is said to be located at a number of other places throughout the world including the Cathedral of Amiens in France, the Residenz Museum in Munich, Germany, and the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria.
*The remains of St Sylvester I (d. 335) rest in the confessio below the main altar. Also a work from 1688 depicting the legend of St Sylvester I baptizing Constantine can be seen in the apse vault.
Santa Maria degli Angeli
(Our Lady of the Angels)
Piazza della Repubblica
Rome, Italy
*This church is at Piazza della Repubblica. It is a very spacious church built over the Baths of Diocletian.
*A unique marble sculpture of St John the Baptist’s head rests on the left side of the nave.
Santa Maria della Scala
(Our Lady of the Staircase)
Piazza della Scala 23
Rome, Italy
*This church is located in Trastevere
*The first chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to the Beheading of St John the Baptist.
*The right foot of St Teresa of Avila (d. 1582) rests within a beautiful chapel to the left of the main sanctuary. It was gifted to this church in 1617. (This chapel is not visible from the nave of the church and it is rarely open to the public. However, if one kindly asks the sacristan access may be granted. If the sacristan is not present he or she can be called at the neighboring convent door.)
San Giovanni Decollato
(Saint John Beheaded)
Via di San Giovanni Decollato 22
Rome, Italy
*This church is east of Tiber Island. It is dedicated to the Beheading of St John the Baptist. It is not open often.
SEE ‘THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST’ ON JUNE 24TH FOR ADDITIONAL CHURCHES IN HIS HONOR.
*Note: The Memorials and Feasts listed above with an asterisk are specific to the National Calendar of the United States of America as requested by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and approved by the Holy See.
