Sacro Cuore di Gesù a Castro Pretorio

Sacro Cuore di Gesù al Castro Pretorio (English: Sacred Heart of Jesus at the Praetorian Barracks) is a Roman Catholic parish and titular church in Rome, Italy.

Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus at the Praetorian Barracks
Sacro Cuore di Gesù al Castro Pretorio (in Italian)
Sacratissimi Cordis Iesu ad Castrum Praetorium (in Latin)
Religion
AffiliationRoman Catholic
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusParish church, Titular church, minor basilica
Year consecrated1887
Location
Location Rome, Italy
Geographic coordinates41°54′10″N 12°30′9.5″E
Architecture
Architect(s)Francesco Vespignani[1]
TypeChurch
StyleRenaissance Revival
Groundbreaking1879
Specifications
Length70 metres (230 ft)
Width30 metres (98 ft)
Width (nave)14 metres (46 ft)
Spire(s)1
Website
www.basilicadelsacrocuore.it

History

The church was originally projected by Pope Pius IX, the land being bought by him along the then Via di Porta San Lorenzo, now Via Marsala. His intention was to dedicate the church to St Joseph, who he had declared 'Patron of the Universal Church' on 8 December 1870. In 1871, however he decided to dedicate the church to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Work on the construction was begun, however, only under Pope Leo XIII, who named as architect Francesco Vespignani. Conte Francesco Vespignani (1842-1899), the Architetto dei Sacri Palazzi of Leo XIII,[2] who also built the College of S. Anselmo on the Aventine Hill.[1] However, the work came to a halt for lack of funds. At this point, the pope entrusted the work to Don Bosco St John Bosco. With the pope's permission, Don Bosco bought an additional 5,500 sq.m. of land to construct a boarding school for poor boys, and also a two floor building at the corner of via di Porta San Lorenzo (now via Marsala) and via Marghera that would serve as a residence for his Salesians. It was Don Bosco who managed to collect the funds necessary for the construction of the church, by appealing to the Catholic world and by making personal journeys to France and to Spain, despite failing health. The church was consecrated on 14 May 1887.[3]

The campanile (bell tower) was projected by Francesco Vespignani, but remained incomplete until 1931, when the imposing statue of the Sacred Heart, donated by the Salesian past pupils in Argentina, was placed on it.[4]

Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the church is served by the Salesian fathers and brothers. It used to have an adjoining trade school with a hostel. At the death of Don Bosco, only the church and the building on via Marsala had been completed. Under his successor Don Michele Rua, the wings on via Marghera and via Magenta were constructed. When the trade school closed down, its place was taken by a middle school and a 'Ginnasio e Liceo Classico.' It later became the provincial house of the Salesian province (first the IRO and later the ICC) and the offices of the CNOS (Centro Nazionale Opere Salesiane).[5] Since 2017, it is the seat of the central government of the Salesian Congregation. The complex hosts also a significant work for young migrants, volunteers and university students, along with an innovative hostel for young people managed by the Salesians and the 'Missionarie di Cristo Risorto.'

The church was elevated to the status of a minor basilica in 1921.[6]

Cardinal-Deacons

The Church of Sacro Cuore was established as a Deaconry on 5 February 1965 by Pope Paul VI, in anticipation of his creating twenty-seven new cardinals on 28 February 1965.[7]

Notes
  1. Touring Club Italiano 1999, pp. 547
  2. He was also supernumerary Secret Chamberlain of the Cape and Sword: La Gerarchia cattolica, la Cappella e la Famiglia ponteficie, per l'anno 1888 (Roma: Tipografia Vaticana, 1888) p. 541; p. 581.
  3. Antonio Sperduti, Monumento di Don Bosco alla Cattedra di Pietro, Genova: B.N. Marconi, 2012, pp. 1-12.
  4. Sperduti, pp. 24-26.
  5. Sperduti, pp. 79-80.
  6. GCatholic.org. "Basilicas in Italy". Retrieved 2010-12-31.
  7. David M. Cheyney, Catholic-Hierarchy: Sacro Cuore di Gesù a Castro Pretorio. Retrieved: 2016-03-15.

References
  • Massimo Alemanno, Le chiese di Roma moderna Vol I (Roma : Armando, 2004). pp. 27–31.
  • Farnedi, Giustino (1999). Guida Alle Chiese Di Roma. Casale Monferrato: Piemme. ISBN 88-384-3087-X.
  • Touring Club Italiano (1999), "Il rione Castro Pretorio", Roma, S.L.: Touring Club Italiano, ISBN 88-365-1324-7
  • Antonio Sperduti, Monumento di Don Bosco alla Cattedra di Pietro (Genova: B.N. Marconi, 2012).
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