Chiesa di San Luigi Gonzaga

4.685 / 5.000

The Parish of San Luigi Gonzaga was erected on January 7, 1963 with the Decree Percrescente incolarum numero of Cardinal Clemente Micara, Vicar General of John XXIII for the diocese of Rome. The establishment of the new Parish occurred as a result of the expansion of the Parioli neighborhood and the increase in population in the area, taking the parish territory from that of the Parishes of San Roberto Bellarmino and the Sacred Immaculate Heart of Mary. There are two historic moments for the parish community, the pastoral visit of His Holiness John Paul II on November 6, 1988 (speech) and the solemn enthronement of a relic of the heart of San Luigi Gonzaga, which took place on March 13, 2012, during the 12:00 Mass. From 1930 to 1957 the church was annexed to the monastery of the Discalced Carmelite nuns (Moniales Ordinis Carmelitarum Discalceatorum) who had moved there from the monastery of St. Bridget of Sweden on Via Monserrato. In the years 1958-1962, before being assigned to the diocesan clergy of Rome, the church was entrusted to the Sons of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Combonians), an institute founded in 1867 by Monsignor Daniele Comboni for the training of missionaries destined for Central Africa. The construction of the church and the Carmel date back to 1929. The site was chosen by Father Guglielmo di S. Alberto, Provost of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, and by Father Adeodato Piazzo, Procurator General of the Order. At that time the site intended for the church and the monastery was large and isolated from the rest of the neighborhood. After an inspection by the nuns, who found the new site satisfactory, a sales contract was drawn up for a total area of ​​5,000 square meters. In the meantime, the Holy See had approved the project and entrusted the execution of the works to the company of Comm. Ing. Castelli. The laying of the first stone took place on Thursday, July 18, 1929, in the octave of the solemnity of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel (July 16). The ceremony was presided over by Cardinal Basilio Pompili, Vicar General of Pius XI, with the assistance of Msgr. Enrico Dante, Master of Pontifical Ceremonies. A large number of Carmelite Fathers, Comm. Castelli, the workers and the inhabitants of the neighborhood participated. The ceremony was solemn and accompanied by liturgical songs performed by the Schola Cantorum of the International College of the Discalced Carmelite Fathers. The foundation was dedicated to the Most Holy Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, and inside the block of travertine laid as the first stone, numerous commemorative medals were placed, in accordance with ancient customs. A parchment illuminated by Sr. Maria degli Angeli was inserted into a lead tube placed in the foundations of the church. The text of the memorial read: In the name of the Lord. So be it. On this day, July 18, Thursday within the octave of the solemn commemoration of the B. V. Mary of Mount Carmel, in the year of our Lord 1929, in the Jubilee of Priesthood of His Holiness Pius XI and General Provost of the Discalced Carmelites, Most Reverend Father William of St. Albert, in this noble city of Rome in Monti Parioli, His Eminence Mr. Cardinal Basilio Pompili, Vicar General, blesses you and places the first stone of the church with adjoining monastery in honor of the Queen and principal Patron of the Carmelite Order by will and generosity of the reigning Supreme Pontiff Pius XI, by the firm Ing. Comm. Castelli for the Discalced Carmelites who will move from the monastery of S. Brigida to this new asylum of propitiatory prayer. During the ceremony, Ing. Castelli delivered to Cardinal Pompili the drawings of the monastery and the church, designed in basilica style and approved by the building commission. The laying of the first stone concluded with an address by the prelate. At the end of the solemn act of foundation, a moment of refreshment was also organized at the premises of the Quisisana clinic already operating at that time. The work began immediately and was completed in a short time. In September 1930, just over a year after the laying of the first stone, the monastery was completed. The transfer of the nuns took place on October 14, 1930, the eve of the feast of St. Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church and reformer of Carmel. Work on the place of worship continued for some time. The church and the convent were equipped with three bells, solemnly blessed at the end of September of that year: the two larger bells were reserved for the church; the smaller for the Divine Office of the nuns. With the transfer of the Carmel of Villa Emiliani to a new location, the three bells were removed.