Praying With The Saints
In Rome
A Guide For Finding And Praying With The Saints
Throughout The Liturgical Year
In Rome.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
October
October 1st
Memorial of Therese of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor
St Therese of the Child Jesus (d. 1897, Lisieux, France) (Relics: Lisieux, France)
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.
*A painting of Our Lady called Mater Admirabilis is preserved within the convent chapel. St Therese of the Child Jesus knelt in front of this painting during her visit to Rome and beseeched God for the grace to enter the convent at the age of 15. To visit this chapel enter the door at the Instituto Del Sacro Cuore. This door is not reached by the staircase to the church but by a second staircase on the left side.
Santa Cecilia in Trastevere
(Saint Cecilia in Trastevere)
Piazza di Santa Cecilia 22
Rome, Italy
*This church is located in the southern part of Trastevere.
*St Therese of the Child Jesus visited this church during her trip to Rome as a child. The chapel in the right transept honors her memory with a beautiful statue of her.
*This church is built over the ruins of the house that St Cecilia had lived in prior to her martyrdom.
*In 821 the body of St Cecilia was exhumed from the Catacombs of San Callisto by Pope St Paschal I (d. 824) and returned to this church. Today her remains rest within the crypt under the main altar.
Santa Maria della Vittoria
(Our Lady of the Victory)
Via XX Settembre 17
Rome, Italy
*This church is north of Piazza della Repubblica.
*The first chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to St Therese of the Child Jesus.
*Also located in this church is Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s famous sculpture entitled The Ecstasy of St Teresa.
October 2nd
Memorial of The Holy Guardian Angels
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.
*Many angels are depicted within this church. For instance, as one enters two angels gracefully support shell-shaped fonts containing holy water. Also in the main sanctuary is a painting that depicts seven angels surrounding the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Christ Child. An additional pair of sculpted angels then surround this painting.
Oratorio dell’Angelo Custode
(Oratory of the Guardian Angel)
Piazza Poli 11
Rome, Italy
*This small church is located near the Trevi Fountain. Its name is in the singular; therefore, its dedication is intended for each person’s individual Guardian Angel.
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 two masterfully sculpted angels on either side of the main sanctuary were created by Bernini. They were originally designed for Ponte Sant’Angelo; however, they were deemed too beautiful to be placed outside.
*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 al Corso
(Saint Charles on the Corso)
Via del Corso 437
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Spanish Steps.
*The large painting within the left transept depicts God the Father being worshiped by angels. It was completed by Tommaso Donini in 1632.
*The heart of St Charles Borromeo (d. 1584) rests within a reliquary in an altar located behind the main sanctuary.
Santa Maria in Aquiro
(Our Lady in Aquiro)
Via della Guglia 69/B
*This church is near the Pantheon.
*The first chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to the Guardian Angels.
October 4th
Memorial of Francis of Assisi
St Francis (d. 1226, Assisi, Italy) (Relics: Assisi, Italy)
Basilica of St John Lateran
Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano 4
Rome, Italy
*The fourth chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Francis of Assisi. A painting within this chapel depicts St Francis receiving the stigmata.
*Within a small park just outside of this basilica is a large statue of St Francis. He is depicted facing the façade of the basilica with his arms outstretched. If one stands behind this statue at a certain distance it looks as if St Francis is holding up the church. This recalls the dream of Pope Innocent III in 1209 when he saw the church being supported by St Francis.
Santissime Stimmate di San Francesco
(The Most Holy Stigmata of Saint Francis)
Largo delle Stimmate
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Largo di Torre Argentina. It is dedicated to the holy stigmata of St Francis of Assisi. It is not open often.
San Francesco d'Assisi a Ripa
(Saint Francis of Assisi in Ripa)
Piazza San Francesco d'Assisi 88
Rome, Italy
*This church is in the southern part of Trastevere.
*St Francis of Assisi stayed within a room in this church during a visit to Rome. Within this room is a stone that is said to have been used by him as a pillow.
San Francesco d’Assisi a Monte Mario
(Saint Francis of Assisi on Monte Mario)
Piazzetta di Monte Gaudio 8
Rome, Italy
*This church is north of the Vatican.
*It is said that as St Francis journeyed from Assisi to Rome he caught his first glimpse of Rome from the hill upon which this church now rests. Upon seeing the city St Francis immediately fell to his knees in prayer.
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 third chapel on the right side of nave is dedicated to St Francis of Assisi. The fresco on the left wall and the painting above the main altar were completed by Domenichino.
*Also within the third chapel on the left side of the nave is a painting by Girolamo Muziano that depicts St Francis receiving the stigmata.
San Bernardo alle Terme
(Saint Bernard at the Baths)
Via Torino 94
Rome, Italy
*This church is north of Piazza della Repubblica.
*Within the chapel to the right of the main altar is a very moving statue of St Francis of Assisi.
Santi Apostoli (Holy Apostles)
Piazza dei Santi Apostoli 51
Rome, Italy
*This church is just east of Piazza Venezia.
*The third chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Francis of Assisi.
*Relics of St Philip and St James the Less also rest within the confessio.
San Pietro in Montorio
(Saint Peter in Montorio)
Piazza San Pietro in Montorio 2
Rome, Italy
*This church is located on the Janiculum hill.
*Within the first chapel on the left side of the nave is a fresco completed by Giovanni de’ Vecchi that depicts St Francis with his stigmata.
*Also within the next chapel on the left side of the nave, which was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, is a marble relief portraying The Ecstasy of St Francis.
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.
*The third chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Francis of Assisi.
*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).
Santa Maria in Aracoeli
(Our Lady in Aracoeli)
Piazza del Campidoglio 4
Rome, Italy
*This church is on top of the Capitoline Hill.
*The chapel in the right transept is dedicated to St Francis. Several paintings within this chapel depict scenes from his life.
*Also relics of St Helena, the mother of Constantine, rest in the left transept.
October 5th
Optional Memorial of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, priest*
Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos (d. 1867, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA) (Relics: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA)
October 6th
Optional memorial of Bruno, priest
St Bruno (d. 1101, Serra San Bruno, Italy) (Relics: Serra San Bruno, Italy)
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 large statue of St Bruno is placed on the right side just as one enters the church. Shortly beyond this and also on the right side is a small chapel dedicated to St Bruno.
*The spacious chapel located in the left transept is also dedicated to St Bruno. The large painting in this chapel by Giovanni Odazzi is entitled The Apparition of the Virgin Mary to St Bruno.
October 6th
Optional memorial of Blessed Marie Rose Durocher, virgin*
Blessed Marie Rose Durocher (d. 1849, Longueuil, Quebec, Canada) (Relics: Longueuil, Quebec, Canada)
October 7th
Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary
Santa Maria in Aracoeli
(Our Lady in Aracoeli)
Piazza del Campidoglio 4
Rome, Italy
*This church is on top of the Capitoline Hill.
*The gilded ceiling within this church honors the Christian victory obtained at the Battle of Lepanto. This victory was largely accredited to the praying of the Rosary, hence the creation of the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary.
*Also relics of St Helena, the mother of Constantine, rest in the left transept.
Santa Maria sopra Minerva
(Our Lady Above Minerva)
Piazza della Minerva 42
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Pantheon.
*The Capranica Chapel located to the right of the main sanctuary is often called the Chapel of the Rosary. The frescoes covering the vault of this chapel, completed by Marcello Venusti in the 16th century, depict the traditional mysteries of the Rosary. Also the altarpiece by Michelangelo Cerruti portrays St Dominic receiving the Rosary from the Blessed Virgin Mary as St Catherine of Siena looks on.
*The remains of St Catherine of Siena (d. 1380), which now rest beneath the altar in the main sanctuary, were originally placed within 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. The stained glass windows above the main altar depict three mysteries of the Rosary. Also within the second chapel on the left side of the nave is a beautiful statue of Our Lady of the Rosary.
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 to the left of the main sanctuary is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. The painting above this altar depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary with both St Dominic and St Catherine of Siena.
*The remains of St Clement I (d. 97) and of St Ignatius of Antioch (d. 107) rest 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.
San Nicola dei Prefetti
(Saint Nicholas of the Prefects)
Via dei Prefetti 34
Rome, Italy
*This church is north of the Pantheon.
*An altar on the left side of the nave is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary.
Santa Maria dei Miracoli
(Our Lady of the Miracles)
Via del Corso 528
Rome, Italy
*This church is at Piazza del Popolo.
*The second chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to the Rosary.
FOR ADDITIONAL MARIAN CHURCHES TO VISIT PLEASE SEE THE LINK AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE.
October 9th
Optional memorial of Denis, bishop and martyr, and Companions, martyrs
St Denis (d. 3rd century, Paris, France) (Relics: 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.
*The first chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to St Denis. The altarpiece in this chapel depicts St Denis restoring sight to a blind man.
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. Above the altar in this chapel is a marble triptych depicting St Anthony, St Denis, and St Justina.
*St Paul is also 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.
October 9th
Optional memorial of John Leonardi, priest
St John Leonardi (d. 1609, Rome, Italy) (Relics: Rome, Italy)
Santa Maria in Campitelli
(Our Lady in Campitelli)
Piazza di Campitelli 9
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Jewish quarter.
*The body of St John Leonardi is enshrined in the second chapel on the left side of the nave.
October 11th
Optional memorial of John XXIII, pope
St John XXIII (d. 1963, Rome, Italy) (Relics: Rome, Italy)
St Peter’s Basilica
Rome, Italy
Altar of St Jerome
*Located on the right side of the nave at the base of the first column.
*The body of St John XXIII rests under this altar. He is known in particular for announcing the opening of the Second Vatican Council.
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.
*The first chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to St John XXIII. A relic of his zucchetto rests above the altar.
October 14th
Optional memorial of Callistus I, pope and martyr
St Callistus I (d. 222, Rome, Italy) (Relics: Rome, Italy)
St Callistus I was originally buried in the Cemetery of Calepodius on the Aurelian Way. In the 8th century his remains were transferred to Santa Maria in Trastevere by Pope Adrian I (772-795). A few decades later during the pontificate of Pope Gregory IV (827-844) his body was relocated within this same church and placed directly under the main altar.
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.
*Relics of the two popes St Callistus I 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).
*Within a small grated niche at the end of the right aisle are several stones and a chain. The large marble stone is said to have been used as a weight to drown St Callistus I in a nearby well.
*Also in the mosaics above the main altar St Callistus I is depicted as the individual next to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
San Callisto (Saint Callistus)
Piazza di San Callisto
Rome, Italy
*This church is next to Santa Maria in Trastevere. It is not open often.
*Tradition claims that it was in the location where this church now stands that St Callistus I suffered martyrdom by being thrown down a well.
October 15th
Memorial of Teresa of Jesus, virgin and doctor
St Teresa (d. 1582, Alba de Tormes, Spain) (Relics: Rome, Italy; Avila, Spain; Alba de Tormes, Spain)
Santa Maria della Scala
(Our Lady at the Steps)
Piazza della Scala 23
Rome, Italy
*This church is located in Trastevere.
*The right foot of St Teresa of Avila rests within this church in 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.)
*Also the chapel in the right transept is dedicated to St Teresa of Avila.
Santa Maria della Vittoria
(Our Lady of the Victory)
Via XX Settembre 17
Rome, Italy
*This church is north of Piazza della Repubblica.
*Located here is Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s famous sculpture entitled The Ecstasy of St Teresa.
Santa Teresa d'Avila
(Saint Teresa of Avila)
Corso d'Italia 37
Rome, Italy
*This church is north of Piazza della Repubblica. It is dedicated to St Teresa of Avila.
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.
*The first chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to St Teresa of Avila.
*The miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin Mary entitled Our Lady of Perpetual Help is above the main altar.
Santa Maria in Traspontina
(Our Lady in Traspontina)
Via della Conciliazione 14
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Vatican.
*The fourth chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Teresa of Avila.
*Also 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 that this church provided a new scapular for St John Paul II after the assassination attempt upon his life in 1981.
San Giovanni della Pigna
(Saint John of the Pigna)
Vicolo della Minerva 51
Rome, Italy
*This church is south of the Pantheon.
*The second chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Teresa of Avila.
October 16th
Optional memorial of Hedwig, religious
St Hedwig (d. 1243, Silesia, Poland) (Relics: Andechs, Germany; Berlin, Germany)
October 16th
Optional memorial of Margaret Mary Alacoque, virgin
St Margaret Mary Alacoque (d. 1690, Paray-le-Monial, France) (Relics: Paray-le-Monial, France)
St Peter’s Basilica
Rome, Italy
Altar of the Sacred Heart
*Located at the base of the far left column.
*A mosaic above this altar depicts Christ revealing his Sacred Heart to St Margaret Mary Alacoque.
Casa Santa Maria (House of Our Lady)
Via dell’Umilta 30
Rome, Italy
*The Casa Santa Maria is located south of the Trevi fountain.
*A community of Visitation Nuns occupied this residence during the early part of the 19th century. Therefore, the beatification of St Margaret Mary Alacoque was officially announced in a chapel located here.
Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore (Our Lady of the Sacred Heart)
Corso del Rinascimento 27
Rome, Italy
*This church is at Piazza Navona.
*The fourth chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to St Margaret Mary Alacoque.
October 17th
Memorial of Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr
St Ignatius of Antioch (d. 107, Rome, Italy) (Relics: Rome, Italy)
Basilica di San Clemente
(Basilica of Saint Clement)
Via di San Giovanni in Laterano / Piazza San Clemente
Rome, Italy
*This church is east of the Colosseum.
*The remains of St Ignatius of Antioch and of St Clement I (d. 97) rest below 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.
*Tradition claims that St Cyril discovered some bones and an anchor while he was in Crimea. These were believed to be the relics of St Clement I. St Cyril then carried them to Rome where they were placed in the Basilica of San Clemente.
October 18th
Feast of Luke, evangelist
St Luke (Relics: Rome, Italy; Padua, Italy; Prague, Czech Republic; Thebes, Greece)
St Peter’s Basilica
Rome, Italy
Treasury Museum
*A silver reliquary bust within this museum is said to contain the head of St Luke. This reliquary dates back to the 14th century and the relic is said to have come from Constantinople. However, this same relic is also said to be located in the Cathedral of St Vitus in Prague, Czech Republic. A recent study on the relics of St Luke was conducted at the request of Archbishop Antonio Malttiazzo of Padua in 1998. This study seems to suggest that the authentic relic of St Luke’s head is the one within the Cathedral of St Vitus.
Santi Luca e Martina
(Saints Luke and Martina)
Via della Curia 2
Rome, Italy
*This church is located in the Roman Forum and it is dedicated to St Luke and St Martina. The painting above the main altar is of St Luke painting the Blessed Virgin Mary. The church is not open often.
October 19th
Memorial of John de Brebeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests and martyrs, and Companions, martyrs*
(Relics: Midland, Ontario, Canada)
Honored on this day are eight Jesuit martyrs who died in North America from the years 1642-1649.
Nostra Signora del Santissimo Sacramento e Santi Martiri Canadesi
(Our Lady of the Most Holy Sacrament and of the Holy Canadian Martyrs)
Via Giovanni Battista de Rossi 46
Rome, Italy
*This is the national church of Canada and is located in the Nomentano district north-west of the Bologna metro station.
*This church was built in 1955 and it honors in a special way the North American Martyrs.
October 20th
Optional memorial of Paul of the Cross, priest*
St Paul of the Cross (d. 1775, Rome, Italy) (Relics: Rome, Italy)
Santi Giovanni e Paolo
(Saints John and Paul)
Piazza dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo 13
Rome, Italy
*This church is south of the Colosseum.
*St Paul of the Cross 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.
*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.
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 Paul of the Cross said Mass here from 1745-1767.
*This church was built due to a miraculous discovery of an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary in a nearby Poor Clare convent that had fallen into ruins. 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.
October 22nd
Optional memorial of John Paul II, pope
St John Paul II (d. 2005, Rome, Italy) (Relics: Rome, Italy)
St Peter’s Basilica
Rome, Italy
Chapel of St Sebastian
*Located on the right side of the nave just after Michelangelo’s statue of the Pieta.
*In 2011 the remains of St John Paul II were removed from the crypt of this basilica and placed within the altar of this chapel. Since this basilica is visited by thousands of people every day the tomb is roped off to provide a small area of prayer. Access to this area is granted if one asks to pray at the tomb.
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 that this church provided a new scapular for St John Paul II after the assassination attempt upon his life in 1981.
Santo Spirito in Sassia
(Holy Spirit in Sassia)
Via dei Penitenzieri 12
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Vatican.
*Within the fourth chapel on the left side of the nave is a painting of St John Paul II. Also preserved here is a small relic of him.
October 23rd
Optional memorial of John of Capistrano, priest
St John of Capistrano (d. 1456, Ilok, Croatia) (Relics: Ilok, Croatia)
San Francesco d'Assisi a Ripa
(Saint Francis of Assisi in Ripa)
Piazza San Francesco d'Assisi 88
Rome, Italy
*This church is in the southern part of Trastevere.
*The second chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to St John of Capistrano. The paintings and frescoes within this chapel depict various scenes from his life. They were all completed by Domenico Muratori.
*St Francis of Assisi (d. 1226) stayed within a room in this church during a visit to Rome. Within this room is a stone that is said to have been used by him as a pillow.
Santa Maria in Aracoeli
(Our Lady in Aracoeli)
Piazza del Campidoglio 4
Rome, Italy
*This church is on top of the Capitoline Hill.
*A small altar located just to the left of the front row of pews is dedicated to St John of Capistrano. The painting above this altar depicts him holding a red flag while meditating upon a wooden crucifix.
October 24th
Optional memorial of Anthony Mary Claret, bishop
St Anthony Mary Claret (d. 1870, Fontfroide, France) (Relics: Vic, Spain)
October 28th
Feast of Simon and Jude, apostles
St Simon (Relics: Rome, Italy)
St Jude (Relics: Rome, Italy; Chicago, Illinois, USA)
St Peter’s Basilica
Rome, Italy
St Joseph’s Altar
*Located in the left transept where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved.
*Relics of the two apostles, St Simon and St Jude, rest under this altar.
San Salvatore in Lauro
(Holy Savior in Lauro)
Piazza San Salvatore in Lauro 15
Rome, Italy
*This church is west of Piazza Navona.
*A small bone fragment from an arm of St Jude rests within a side chapel in this church.
*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.
