DESCRIPTION OF THE RELIGIOUS SITE
DESCRIPTION San Girolamo House is located in the complex that since the fifteenth century has housed a spiritual center, first of the Franciscan friars and then, from 1965, the community of the Little Brothers of Father Charles de Foucauld. Since 2004, after a wide series of restorations, it is home to the Italian Catholic Action spirituality house, at the service of the national center of ACI. The initial structure was built between the years 1472-1478, thanks to the funding of Braccio Baglioni, lord of Spello.
A church is annexed to the original monastery, now used as a hospitality and conference house, which can be accessed via a beautiful portico. Inside there are several works of art; in particular: a carved and painted wooden Crucifix from the late fifteenth century; a fresco by an unknown painter follower of Pinturicchio, depicting the Marriage of the Virgin; the inlaid 16th century wooden choir; the eighteenth century stucco sculptures.
HISTORICAL RELEVANCE The historical relevance is remarkable, not only because it is placed at the entrance of the cemetery of the town of ancient origin (important center already in Roman times, then episcopal seat in the early Middle Ages), but also because the complex is one of the most interesting documents of the Renaissance of Spello and Umbria, both for the elegance of the cloister and the loggia, and for the artistic works that it preserves.
Entitled to Saint Jerome, wanted by the lord of Spello but also for the contest of the population moved by the preaching of Fra Cherubino from Spoleto (which in saint Jerome was particularly devoted), the monastic complex benefited from a double supply of water, functional not only to the needs of the convent but also to the agricultural activity of the surrounding countryside. The wooden crucifix, dating back to 1498, particularly revered, was carried in procession to implore divine intercession both for healing from diseases and for propitiating favorable climatic conditions.
After the installation of the Friars Minor of the Osservanza, additional elements were added in the 18th century, but in the revolutionary period (Roman Republic and subsequent Napoleonic occupation) it was suppressed. The religious activity resumed during the nineteenth century, hosting again the Franciscan Observants, with a partial restoration, but - after a new suppression in 1866 - returned to the Municipality.
Only in 1965 did the convent resume its original function by hosting the Community of the "Little Brothers" of Charles de Foucauld, with the spiritual guide Carlo Carretto, former national president of the Youth of Catholic Action.
INTER-RELIGIOUS RELEVANCE The new use of the spiritual complex by the Italian Catholic Action has made it a place of encounter and dialogue, also inter-religious. Recently it has hosted moments of study and prayer between Christians and Muslims, in connection with the activity of the National Study Center of the ACI and the ecumenical initiatives conducted by the association at national and diocesan level, also through the publications of the publishing house AVE, from the in-depth magazine "Dialoghi" and the monthly "Segno nel mondo". Of particular significance are the initiatives aimed at dialogue between religions and different cultures in areas of conflict or inter-religious tension, such as support for inter-ethnic schools in Sarajevo and the training of teachers in Albania.
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE The religious influence of this place has been of considerable importance over the centuries, also due to its proximity to Assisi and the presence of the Franciscan movement. The animated community in the '60s and' 80s of the twentieth century by Carlo Carretto (Fraternity of the Little Brothers of Charles De Foucauld) was a very significant reference for the spiritual renewal connected to the Second Vatican Council. The current activity is linked to the presence of the ACI, which represents the most important association of the Italian laity and participates in the international network of the FIAC (International Forum of Catholic Action).
HOW TO USE WITH THE STUDENTS Virtual visit using online resources
Classroom activity (pre- and post- visit)
Artistic itinerary: detailed information on the works of art of the complex.
Fact sheets on two key figures of the Catholic Church: San Francesco d'Assisi and Carlo Carretto
Activity of verification of the acquired knowledge and skills.
CONNECTION WITH OTHER RELIGIOUS SITES
REFERENCE TO THE GUIDELINE
VIDEOS
LINKS
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Conversations by Spello
Meeting between Cirstianism and Islam
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Jesus Caritas
http://www.jesuscaritas.info/jcd/
http://www.charlesdefoucauld.org/en/presentation.php
Sites about the spirituality of Charles de Foucauld.
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Memoria di Carlo Carretto
http://azionecattolica.it/memoria-di-carlo-carretto
Memory of Carlo Caretto on the 30th anniversary of his death
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San Girolamo House
Historical-artistic description of the complex of San Girolamo