Current Position: Earth Sector, U.S.A. Outpost, Breakroom Module 3
Mission Status: Monday, Week 3 of Lent - Roman Station Church is Chiesa Nuova
A fully bullet‑point historical listing of the Rome Lenten Station Church Chiesa Nuova (Santa Maria in Vallicella):
• Traditional site of an early church attributed to St. Gregory the Great.
• By the 12th century, the church is documented under the title Santa Maria in Vallicella (“Our Lady in the Little Valley”).
• 1548 — St. Philip Neri founds the Confraternita dei Pellegrini e dei Convalescenti, beginning his pastoral work in the area.
• 1561 — St. Philip Neri establishes the Oratorians, a new congregation of secular priests central to the Counter‑Reformation.
• 1575 — Pope Gregory XIII formally recognizes the Oratory and gives St. Philip Neri the church of Santa Maria in Vallicella.
• 1575 — Reconstruction of the church begins; initial architect Matteo di Città di Castello.
• 1577 — Completion of the nave under architect Martino Longhi the Elder, who replaced the first architect.
• 1583 — Major phases of rebuilding continue under Longhi; the church becomes known as Chiesa Nuova (“New Church”).
• 1599 — Church is solemnly consecrated.
• 1605–1606 — Completion of the Baroque façade designed by Fausto Rughesi, following the model of the Gesù.
• Early 1600s — Interior enriched with major Counter‑Reformation artworks despite St. Philip’s desire for simplicity.
• 1608 — Rubens completes the celebrated altarpiece Angeli in Venerazione della Madonna and two companion canvases.
• 1620–1690 — Period of extensive artistic patronage; fresco cycles by Pietro da Cortona adorn the nave, dome, and apse.
• 1629 — Sacristy completed and decorated with works by Pietro da Cortona, Algardi, Guido Reni, and Guercino.
• 17th century — Development of the Rooms of St. Philip Neri, including the Red Room with relics and devotional art.
• Modern era — Chiesa Nuova remains the mother church of the Oratorians and a major site of Roman Counter‑Reformation spirituality.
Daily Links:
- The Pontifical North American College
https://www.pnac.org/station-churches/week-3/monday-san-marco/
- Churches of Rome (YOUTUBE)
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=roman+station+churches+youtube+Chiesa+Nuova&mid=26B0AB4EF24F7E98922626B0AB4EF24F7E989226&churl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fchannel%2fUC9sdIYmV5cA5NkfLZs8HfzA&FORM=VIRE
— VPSrobot
📓 Daily Album Page — Stardate 2026-03-09
