Praying With The Saints
In Rome
A Guide For Finding And Praying With The Saints
Throughout The Liturgical Year
In Rome.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
July
July 1st
Optional memorial of Blessed Junipero Serra, priest*
Blessed Junipero Serra (d. 1784, Carmel, California, USA) (Relics: Carmel, California, USA)
July 3rd
Feast of Thomas, apostle
St Thomas (Relics: Rome, Italy; Ortona, Italy; Mylapore, India)
Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
(Holy Cross In Jerusalem)
Piazza di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme 12
Rome, Italy
*This church is east of the the Basilica of St John Lateran.
*A bone from the index finger of St Thomas the Apostle is located here. It is said that this is the same finger that he inserted into the side of the Risen Christ. Also the first chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Thomas.
*Also found here are relics of the True Cross brought to Rome by St Helena in 325. These relics include: the Titulus Crucis (This is the sign that hung over the head of Christ and that declared him to be the King of the Jews), a Crucifixion nail, a fragment of the True Cross, two thorns from the Crown of Thorns, the greater part of the sponge used to give Christ vinegar, and a piece of the cross from the good thief (St Dismas).
*This chapel can be accessed by the staircase on the left side of the sanctuary.
San Tommaso in Parione
(Saint Thomas in Parione)
Via Parione 33
Rome, Italy
*This church is near Piazza Navona. It is not open often.
*This is the national church of Ethiopia and it is dedicated to St Thomas the Apostle.
July 5th
Optional memorial of Elizabeth of Portugal*
St Elizabeth of Portugal (d. 1336, Coimbra, Portugal) (Relics: Coimbra, Portugal)
Sant'Antonio dei Portoghesi
(Saint Anthony of the Portuguese)
Via dei Portoghesi 2
Rome, Italy
*This church is northeast of Piazza Navona. It is the national church of Portugal.
*The chapel in the right transept is dedicated to St Elizabeth of Portugal. The altarpiece is entitled St Elizabeth Reconciling Her Husband and Son.
July 5th
Optional memorial of Anthony Zaccaria, priest
St Anthony Zaccaria (d. 1539, Cremona, Italy) (Relics: Milan, Italy)
San Carlo ai Catinari
(Saint Charles at the Catinari)
Piazza Benedetto Cairoli 117
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Largo di Torre Argentina. For many centuries it was run by the Barnabites. The third chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to their founder, St Anthony Zaccaria.
July 6th
Optional memorial of Maria Goretti, virgin and martyr
St Maria Goretti (d. 1902, Le Ferriere / Ferriere di Conca, Italy) (Relics: Nettuno, Italy)
July 9th
Optional Memorial of Augustine Zhao Rong, priest and martyr, and Companions, martyrs
Honored on this day are 120 martyrs who died in China from the years 1648-1930. (Relics: Paris, France)
July 11th
Memorial of Benedict, abbot
St Benedict (b. 480, Norcia, Italy) (d. 547, Monte Cassino, Italy) (Relics: Monte Cassino, Italy; Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire, France; Brescia, Italy)
San Benedetto a Piscinula
(Saint Benedict at Piscinula)
Piazza in Piscinula 40
Rome, Italy
*This church is located in Trastevere near the Ponte Sisto Bridge.
*Tradition claims that St Benedict stayed in the location of this church during a visit to Rome.
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 Benedict.
*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.
Santi Benedetto e Scolastica
(Saint Benedict and Scholastica)
Vicolo Sinibaldi 1
Rome, Italy
*This church is just south of the Pantheon. Its postal address is on Vicolo Sinibaldi; however, its front door is just around the corner on Via Torre Argentina.
*The church is very small and it is set into the surrounding buildings. It is dedicated to both St Benedict and St Scholastica. It is not open often.
July 13th
Optional memorial of Henry
St Henry (d. 1024, Gottingen, Germany) (Relics: Bamberg, Germany)
July 14th
Memorial of Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin*
St Kateri Tekakwitha (d. 1680, Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada) (Relics: Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada)
July 15th
Memorial of Bonaventure, bishop and doctor
St Bonaventure (d. 1274, Lyon, France) (Relics: Bagnoregio, Italy)
San Bonaventura al Palatino
(Saint Bonaventure at the Palatine)
Via San Bonaventura 7
Rome, Italy
*This church is in the Roman Forum. It is not open often.
*Within this small church are a number of paintings by Giovanni Battista Benaschi from the 17th century.
Santi Apostoli (Holy Apostles)
Piazza dei Santi Apostoli 51
Rome, Italy
*This church is just east of Piazza Venezia.
*The first chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to St Bonaventure.
*Relics of St Philip and St James the Less rest within the confessio.
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 fifth chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Bonaventure. The altarpiece within this chapel was completed by Andrea Sacchi.
Santa Croce e San Bonaventura dei Lucchesi
(Holy Cross and Saint Bonaventure of the Lucchesi)
Via dei Lucchesi 3
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Trevi Fountain. It is not open often.
*The first chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Bonaventure.
July 16th
Optional memorial of Our Lady of Mt Carmel
Santa Maria in Traspontina
(Our Lady in Traspontina)
Via della Conciliazione 14
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Vatican.
*The third chapel on the right side of the nave contains a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Mt Carmel. A memorial at this chapel recalls the new scapular that this church gifted to St John Paul II after the assassination attempt upon his life in 1981.
Santa Maria della Vittoria
(Our Lady of the Victory)
Via XX Settembre 17
Rome, Italy
*This church is north of Piazza della Repubblica.
*A marble statue within the third chapel on the right side of the nave depicts St Simon Stock receiving the scapular from the Blessed Virgin Mary.
*Also located in this church is Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s famous sculpture entitled The Ecstasy of St Teresa.
San Martino ai Monti
(Saint Martin at the Hills)
Viale Monte Oppio 28
Rome, Italy
*This church is south of the Basilica of St Mary Major. The chapel to the left of the main sanctuary honors Our Lady of Mt Carmel.
*The greater part of the remains of St Martin I (d. 655) were transferred from Crimea to this church in Rome. They now rest in the confessio below the main altar. This confessio also houses the relics of many other saints taken from the Catacombs of Priscilla.
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 left side of the nave is dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
*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.
July 18th
Optional memorial of Camillus de Lellis, priest*
St Camillus de Lellis (d. 1614, Rome, Italy) (Relics: Rome, Italy)
La Maddalena (The Magdalene)
Piazza della Maddalena 53
Rome, Italy
*This church is just north of the Pantheon.
*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.
San Camillo de Lellis
(Saint Camillus de Lellis)
Via Sallustiana 24
Rome, Italy
*This church is north of Piazza della Repubblica.
*A small relic of St Camillus de Lellis is venerated on the left side of the nave.
San Giacomo degli Incurabili / San Giacomo in Augusta
(Saint James of the Incurables / Saint James in Augusta)
Via del Corso 499
Rome, Italy
*This church is near Piazza del Popolo.
*This was traditionally a hospital church. St Camillus de Lellis used to live and work at the hospital next to this church.
July 20th
Optional Memorial of Apollinaris, bishop and martyr
St Apollinaris (d. 1st century, Ravenna, Italy) (Relics: Ravenna, Italy; Remagen, Germany; Düsseldorf, Germany)
Basilica di Sant’Apollinare alle Terme
(Basilica of Saint Apollinaris at the Baths)
Piazza Sant’Apollinare 49
Rome, Italy
*This church is located just north of Piazza Navona. It is dedicated to St Apollinaris.
*This is the church at the Santa Croce University.
July 21st
Optional memorial of Lawrence of Brindisi, priest and doctor
St Lawrence of Brindisi (d. 1619, Lisbon, Portugal) (Relics: Villafranca del Bierzo, Spain)
Santa Maria in Aracoeli (Our Lady in Aracoeli)
Piazza del Campidoglio 4
Rome, Italy
*This church is on top of the Capitoline Hill.
*The eighth chapel on the right side of the nave, located just after the side entrance, is dedicated to St Lawrence of Brindisi. A small fresco above the altar depicts him writing about the Blessed Virgin Mary.
July 22nd
Memorial of Mary Magdalene
St Mary Magdalene (Relics: Rome, Italy; Plan-d’Aups-Sainte-Baume, France; Saint-Maximin-La-Sainte-Baume, France; Vézelay, France)
San Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini
(Saint John the Baptist of the Florentines)
Via Acciaioli 2
Rome, Italy
*This church is just east of the Vatican. It is next to the Tiber River and the Corso Vittorio Emanuele.
*A relic of St Mary Magdalene’s foot rests in a shrine to the left of the main sanctuary. Also the chapel in the left transept is dedicated to her.
La Maddalena (The Magdalene)
Piazza della Maddalena 53
Rome, Italy
*This church is just north of the Pantheon. It is dedicated to St Mary Magdalene.
*Within the passageway to the left of the main sanctuary is a 15th century statue of St Mary Magdalene. She is also depicted in the large painting in the main sanctuary.
Santa Maria sopra Minerva
(Our Lady Above Minerva)
Piazza della Minerva 42
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Pantheon.
*Within the small baptismal chapel on the right side of the nave is a 16th century painting of Mary Magdalene by Marcello Venusti entitled Noli me tangere.
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 fifth chapel on the left side of the nave is another 16th century masterpiece entitled Noli me tangere.
July 23rd
Optional memorial of Bridget, religious
St Bridget (d. 1373, Rome, Italy) (Relics: Rome, Italy; Vadstena, Sweden)
Santa Brigida a Campo de' Fiori
(Saint Bridget at the Field of Flowers)
Piazza Farnese 96
Rome, Italy
*This church is at Piazza Farnese.
*Following the death of her husband, St Bridget of Sweden devoted herself completely to a life of prayer and service. After founding the Bridgettine Sisters in Sweden she felt compelled to visit Rome in order to seek official approval for her community. Her visit resulted in her permanently remaining in the city for the next twenty-four years until her passing in 1373. Today a few of her relics rest within this Bridgettine convent which still to this day is occupied by members of her community. Her body was returned to Sweden shortly after her death.
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 second chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Bridget. 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.
*This church also rests over the spot of St Lawrence’s martyrdom (d. 258). A chapel built under the porch marks where it occurred.
Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls
Via Ostiense 186
Rome, Italy
*This basilica is south of the Aurelian Walls. In the Blessed Sacrament Chapel is a crucifix that is said to have spoken to St Bridget in 1370.
*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.
July 24th
Optional Memorial of Sharbel Makhluf, priest
St Sharbel Makhluf (d. 1898, Annaya, Jbeil District, Lebanon) (Relics: Annaya, Jbeil District, Lebanon)
July 25th
Feast of James, apostle
St James the Greater – the brother of St John the Evangelist (d. 44) (Relics: Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Jerusalem, Israel)
San Giacomo degli Incurabili / San Giacomo in Augusta
(Saint James of the Incurables / Saint James in Augusta)
Via del Corso 499
Rome, Italy
*This church is near Piazza del Popolo. It is dedicated to St James the Greater.
*Within the second chapel on the left side of the nave is a large statue of St James the Greater sculpted by Ippolito Buzio.
Santa Maria in Monserrato
(Our Lady of Montserrat)
Via di Monserrato
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Piazza Farnese.
*The third chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St James the Great. Within this chapel is a large statue of St James completed by Jacopo Sansovino in the 16th century. Prior to the French occupation of Rome this statue had been located at San Giacomo dei Spagnoli near Piazza Navona. The damage that this church suffered during the French occupation prompted the Spanish to abandon this church in the 19th century. Much of its art was then transferred to Santa Maria in Monserrato or returned to Spain.
Santa Maria sopra Minerva
(Our Lady Above Minerva)
Piazza della Minerva 42
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Pantheon.
*Within the fifth chapel on the left side of the nave is a painting of St James the Greater completed by Marcello Venusti in the 16th century.
*Also the body of St Catherine of Siena (d. 1380) rests under the main altar.
Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore
(Our Lady of the Sacred Heart)
Corso del Rinascimento 27
Rome, Italy
*This church is at Piazza Navona. Prior to the French occupation of Rome it was the national church of Spain and was called San Giacomo dei Spagnoli.
*The second chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St James the Greater. Prominently placed within this chapel is a copy of Jacopo Sansovino’s 16th century statue of St James the Greater. Upon the sidewalls are several frescoes by Pellegrino Munari depicting alleged events from St James’ life.
San Giacomo alla Lungara
(Saint James at the Lungara)
Via della Lungara 12
Rome, Italy
*This church is just north of Trastevere and is dedicated to St James the Greater. It is not open often.
July 26th
Memorial of Joachim and Anne, parents of The Blessed Virgin Mary
St Anne (Relics: Apt, France; Bologna, Italy; Sainte-Anne d’Auray, France; Sainte-Anne de Beaupré, Quebec, Canada; Vienna, Austria)
San Gioacchino ai Prati di Castello
(Saint Joachim at the Meadows of the Castle)
Piazza dei Quiriti 17
Rome, Italy
*This church is located north of Castel Sant’Angelo and it is dedicated to St Joachim.
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 chapel in the left transept is dedicated to St Anne. A sculpture under the altar of this chapel, completed by Giovanni Battista Maini, is entitled The Dying of St Anne.
*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 (d. 1941) offered his first Mass in this very same chapel.
San Carlo ai Catinari
(Saint Charles at the Catinari)
Piazza Benedetto Cairoli 117
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Largo di Torre Argentina.
*The second chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Anne.
Sant’Ignazio (Saint Ignatius)
Via del Caravita 8/a
Rome, Italy
*This church is east of the Pantheon.
*The third chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to St Joachim. The large painting within this chapel, completed by Stefano Pozzi, is entitled The Virgin Presented by Joachim to God the Father. Also under the altar of this chapel is the body of St Robert Bellarmine.
Santa Maria in Campitelli
(Our Lady in Campitelli)
Piazza di Campitelli 9
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Jewish quarter.
*The second chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to St Anne.
*The body of St John Leonardi (d. 1609) is enshrined in the second chapel on the left side of the nave.
Santi Gioacchino e Anna ai Monti
(Saints Joachim and Anne at the Hills)
Via Monte Polacco 5
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Cavour metro stop. It is dedicated to both St Joachim and St Anne. It is not open often.
Sant'Anna dei Palafrenieri
(Saint Anne of the Palafrenieri)
Via di Porta Angelica
Rome, Italy
*This is the parish church of the Vatican. It is dedicated to St Anne.
San Pietro in Montorio
(Saint Peter in Montorio)
Piazza San Pietro in Montorio 2
Rome, Italy
*This church is located on the Janiculum hill.
*The third chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Anne.
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.
*A painting within the second chapel on the right side of the nave depicts St Anne teaching Mary how to read.
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 third chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to St Anne.
Santa Maria in Aracoeli
(Our Lady in Aracoeli)
Piazza del Campidoglio 4
Rome, Italy
*This church is on top of the Capitoline Hill.
*The fourth chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Anne.
*Relics of St Helena, the mother of Constantine, rest in the left transept.
July 29th
Memorial of Martha
St Martha (Relics: Tarascon, France)
July 30th
Optional memorial of Peter Chrysologus, bishop and doctor
St Peter Chrysologus (d. 450, Imola, Italy) (Relics: Imola, Italy)
July 31st
Memorial of Ignatius of Loyola, priest
St Ignatius of Loyola (d. 1556, Rome, Italy) (Relics: Rome, Italy)
Il Gesu (The Jesus)
Via degli Astalli 16
Rome, Italy
*St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, is buried under the altar in the left transept. His rooms are located in the Generalate next to the church and may be visited.
*An arm of St Francis Xavier (d. 1552) rests within a reliquary above the altar in the right transept. With this arm he baptized thousands of individuals in India and the Far East.
*The remains of St Peter Faber (d. 1546), an early companion of St Ignatius, are also located here. They are said to rest below the main entrance to this church having been placed here when the church was built in the 16th century. During the placement of these relics it was impossible to separate the bones of St Peter Faber from the bones of other individuals; therefore, his bones are buried together with theirs.
Sant’Ignazio (Saint Ignatius)
Via del Caravita 8/a
Rome, Italy
*This church is east of the Pantheon. It is dedicated to St Ignatius of Loyola.
*The remains of St Aloysius Gonzaga (d. 1591) rest under the altar in the right transept. His rooms are next to the church and can be visited by appointment.
*The body of St Robert Bellarmine (d. 1621) rests under the altar in the third chapel on the right side of the nave.
*The remains of St John Berchmans (d. 1621), the patron saint of altar servers, rest under the altar in the left transept.
Basilica of St Mary Major
Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore 42
Rome, Italy
*On Christmas night in 1538 St Ignatius of Loyola celebrated his first Mass in this church within the Chapel of the Nativity. At the time of St Ignatius this chapel was located within the confessio in the right transept and housed the five highly venerated pieces of wood from the manger of the Lord. Today this chapel, whose relics have been relocated to the confessio below the Papal Altar, has lost its association to the Nativity.
Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls
Via Ostiense 186
Rome, Italy
*This basilica is south of the Aurelian Walls.
*On April 22, 1541 St Ignatius of Loyola and five companions made their profession of solemn vows in front of a 13th century icon of Our Lady which is now found in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of this church. The crucifix in this chapel is also of note as it is said to have spoken to St Bridget in 1370.
*St Paul is also buried in the confessio in the main body of this church. 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.
*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.
