Irish Franciscans Commemorate Four Centuries of St Isidore’s with a Grand Conference in Rome
This year, the Irish Franciscans celebrate the 400th anniversary of St Isidore’s College, a significant landmark for the Irish community and a national church in Rome.
During a time of religious persecution in Ireland under the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and James I in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, St Isidore’s College emerged as a safe haven for exiled Irish clergy and those seeking religious education.
The college’s history is intertwined with both Ireland and Spain, evident in the sculptures of two saints adorning the Rococo façade: St Isidore of Madrid and St Patrick of Ireland.
Established in 1622 by Spanish discalced Franciscans, the college was dedicated to the canonized Isidoro, a revered 11th-century farmer and holy man. However, due to financial difficulties, the founders had to abandon the project near Piazza Barberini, where the college stands today.
The college, situated in the “Capo le Case” district, was further developed by Irish Franciscan scholar Fr Luke Wadding in 1625. Wadding transformed the convent into a seminary to train young Irish Franciscans for service in Ireland.
Emphasizing Ireland’s national identity, Wadding adorned the church with frescoes of Ireland’s patron saints, Patrick and Bridget, alongside Old Irish verses from an eighth-century text.
The current Guardian of St Isidore’s, Fr Mícheál Mac Craith, notes that Wadding’s intention was to showcase the Irish heritage and language, making St Isidore’s unique in Rome.
Restorers recently discovered that St Patrick was initially depicted without a beard, in line with early iconography. However, Wadding added a beard to portray Patrick as a patriarchal figure, akin to the Irish Moses.
Following a meticulous restoration, the frescoes were unveiled just in time for St Patrick’s Day, where the Irish community gathered to celebrate at St Isidore’s.
Fr Mac Craith highlighted Wadding’s pivotal role in founding St Isidore’s and establishing St Patrick’s Day as a global celebration, extending beyond Ireland’s borders.
Wadding’s legacy also includes the Pontifical Irish College in Rome, where the St Patrick’s Day Mass is held annually by tradition.
Arriving in Rome in 1618, Wadding devoted his life to theological pursuits, culminating in his publication of the works of Duns Scotus on the Immaculate Conception.
King Philip III of Spain initially sent Wadding to Rome as a theological adviser, leading to Wadding’s lifelong commitment to the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.
St Isidore’s College stands as a symbol of the enduring Irish presence in Rome, a testament to the rich history and contributions of the Irish Franciscans over the past four centuries.
Welcome to the Fascinating World of St Isidore and Biblioteca Hertziana
Let’s take a journey back in time to explore the rich history and artistic treasures of St Isidore’s, a place that holds immense significance for Irish people, the Church, and the Franciscan Order. At the heart of this historical gem lies the Biblioteca Hertziana, a precious library established by Wadding that houses over 24,000 volumes and boasts an archive of early Franciscan history that is unparalleled in the world.
Wadding’s meticulous research and findings played a pivotal role in defining the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception as a dogma in 1854. This profound contribution to the Church’s history is just one of the many reasons why St Isidore’s holds a special place in the annals of Irish heritage.
St Isidore’s is not only a haven of scholarly pursuits but also a treasure trove of 17th-century Italian art. Thanks to Wadding’s vision and the financial support of his Spanish patrons, the college’s church became a showcase for the best Roman artists of the time. The exquisite artworks adorning the church, such as Carlo Maratti’s “Flight into Egypt” and Andrea Sacchi’s depiction of St Isidore, offer a glimpse into the artistic prowess of that era.
The church’s architecture, described as “gently Baroque,” exudes a sense of refined elegance, with ornate details that captivate the eye. The de Sylva Chapel, designed by the legendary Gian Lorenzo Bernini, is a testament to Baroque magnificence, featuring intricate sculptures and a painting of the Immaculate Conception by Maratti.
As you wander through the hallowed halls of St Isidore’s, you’ll encounter poignant reminders of the past, such as the funerary monument dedicated to Octavia Catherine Mary Byran, whose untimely death on the eve of her wedding to Prince Scipio Borghese left a lasting impact on those who knew her.
From the Napoleonic occupation to the presence of the Nazarene painters, St Isidore’s has witnessed a myriad of historical events that have shaped its identity. The legacy of these artists, who believed in the moral and religious purpose of art, lives on in the cloistered walls of the college.
Step into the cloister at St Isidore’s, where orange trees bloom amidst frescoes of Franciscan life, and lose yourself in the serenity of this hidden oasis in the heart of Rome. The echoes of the past reverberate through the corridors of St Isidore’s, inviting you to delve deeper into its fascinating history and artistic wonders.
Step into the historic Aula Magna at St Isidore’s College and be transported through time. This grand hall has witnessed countless students defending their theses over centuries, surrounded by frescoes of revered Irish Franciscan scholars and bishops, as well as saints Francis, Bonaventure, and Anthony.
Created by Fra Emanuele da Como in 1679-71, these frescoes pay homage to the Irish Franciscans who played a pivotal role in developing the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception. Each figure in the frescoes praises Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, guiding the viewer’s gaze towards the central image of Our Lady herself.
The large fresco on the right side of the Aula showcases the scholars of St Isidore’s engrossed in their studies within the library. An inscription in Latin beneath the scene declares the resilience of the Irish nation, which, despite the devastation caused by Cromwell at home, found rebirth in Rome through the efforts of Irish Franciscan exiles.
During a recent visit to St Isidore’s, Dublin politician Gary Gannon marveled at the unmistakably Irish essence of the location nestled within Rome.
These depictions of scholars in the Aula trace their roots back to both St Isidore’s and the Irish Franciscan college in Louvain, established in 1607. They serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of Irish Franciscan scholarship and spirituality across Europe since the early 17th century.
Today, St Isidore’s continues this tradition of learning by nurturing Franciscan friars, embodying the deep connections between its Hibernian origins and the broader European landscape.
Notably, Luke Wadding, who led St Isidore’s for three decades, also held the distinction of being Ireland’s first accredited Irish ambassador. In 1642, he was appointed by the Confederation of Kilkenny as their envoy to Rome.
Following his passing at the age of 69 in 1657, Wadding found his final resting place in the crypt of St Isidore’s.
The Irish in Rome Conference
From 28-30 May, Rome will host a symposium titled ‘The Irish in Rome’ to commemorate 400 years of Irish presence in the city, starting with the founding of St Isidore’s in 1625. Co-hosted by the University of Notre Dame’s Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies and St Isidore’s College, the conference will feature plenary sessions, author readings, and panels exploring the cultural exchanges and historical impacts of Irish influence in Rome.
Events will unfold at St Isidore’s and Notre Dame’s Rome Centre, welcoming both online and in-person attendees. Registration is open until 30 April, with the full program and registration details available on the conference webpage.
Article by Andy Devane
Cover image: Fresco of St Patrick in the portico of the Church of St Isidore’s. Photos by Wanted in Rome.
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