- Rome, the Eternal City
As we know, Father Eymard knew Rome very well. He went to Rome several times. The first time was in 1858 for the Laudatory Brief of the Holy See whereas Bishop Sibour's approval on 13 May 1856 applied only to the diocese of Paris. However, the Eucharistic apostolate was not to be limited to this diocese. This required not only the blessing of the Holy Father, but also the first decree, the Laudatory Brief, to obtain the ecclesiastical approval necessary for a new Congregation. Father Eymard therefore went to Rome for the first time on 8 December 1858. The audience took place on Monday 20 December. On the Feast of the Epiphany, 6 January 1859, Father Eymard received the coveted Laudatory Brief, signed on 5 January.
The canonical approval of the Congregation required a third establishment. After moving to Angers in 1862, the three houses became a reality. On 11 March 1863, Father Eymard arrived in Rome for the second time. He was accompanied by Father de Cuers and the Abbé de Leudeville, a postulant and friend. On 18 March 1863, they were received in audience by Pope Pius IX. On 8 April, Father Eymard was granted a private audience. While awaiting a reply, he made his first retreat in Rome (from 17 to 25 May). On 3 June, Pope Pius IX approved the Congregation and the work. On 10 June, Father Eymard received the decree of approval dated 8 May 1863.
The third trip to Rome took place from 10 November 1864 to 30 March 1865. From 25 January to 30 March 1865, Father Eymard made his Great Retreat in Rome, during which he gained new insights into the "Gift of Self".
Rome is no stranger to me either. To my great delight, I've been there on several occasions, both as part of my art history studies and on various holidays. From 18 to 28 November 2024, I once again had the opportunity to visit the Eternal City. This time it was different from previous times, mainly because of the meeting with the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament at both San Claudio and the church of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament and the Canadian Martyrs (Via Giovanni Battista de Rossi, 46).
For the first few days I stayed in a small hotel between the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the church of Saint Alphonsus de Liguori. The journey from Amsterdam went smoothly, allowing me to arrive in time for the 6.30 pm mass at Saint Alphonsus, across the street, on the first evening. I knew that Father Eymard had also been here. He had stayed here with the Redemptorists during his Great Retreat at the monastery, in the Villa Caserta on Via Merulana. The church of Saint Alphonsus had just been completed (built between 1855 and 1859).
After those first few days, I stayed with associate Diana in a flat on Viale XXI Aprile near the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament in the Nomentano district. This enabled us to attend Vespers every day at 6 pm, followed by the Eucharist. It was nice to find that the Eymardian family experience that we always feel so clearly and warmly in Amsterdam was also palpable here in Rome.
- Church of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament and the Canadian Martyrs
The church dates back to 1955 and was designed by Bruno Maria Apollonj Ghetti. The contrast between the interior and exterior is striking. The light-coloured stone on the outside and the dark, Gothic interior are surprising. The lighting of the pillars reinforces the impression of height. The natural focus is on the altar.
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Father Anicet Kapita, superior of the parish community, gave us a tour of the Curia-Parish building.
The Superior General, Father Philip Benzy, came to greet us after Vespers. On Monday morning, 25 November, we had another brief chat with him and expressed our joy at being associated with the Congregation in Amsterdam.
Father Joseph Phuoc, General Archivist, then took us on a tour of the archives. It was interesting to see that the railings of the room in the Redemptorist monastery where Father Eymard stayed during his Great Retreat had been retained.
I found the manuscripts impressive, the Constitutions with Father Eymard’s corrections, his personal items, but above all the monstrance Father Eymard used for exposition in Paris on 6 January 1857. I didn’t know it had been kept.
- Church of Saints Claude and Andrew of the Burgundians
Of course, we also went to the Chiesa di San Claudio. This church was being restored, as were many of Rome’s churches, streets and fountains. Everything has to be più bello (more beautiful) for the Jubilee Year.
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The service took place in the side chapel. We did adoration. In front of us was Father Giancarlo Breda, who invited us to accompany him into the church. We were able to observe the restoration work. People were particularly busy at the high altar. The large crimson mantle and the ancient equipment for exposition were safely stored elsewhere. The image of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament was visible, although not in the light.
In the afternoon, I returned to San Claudio and spoke to Father Paolo Polci. With his blessing, I left the chapel.
To conclude, on Tuesday 26 November, after Vespers, we said goodbye to the Fathers and the Superior General. The trip was over. But the next day, we were back for Vespers and the Eucharist. Our flight to Amsterdam had been cancelled because of the storm. We were obliged to stay an extra day in Rome.
The Fathers and some of the parishioners were surprised to see us again. Father Benzy came to speak to us after vespers. The flight had been cancelled. God’s providence? I was able to receive his blessing on the eve of my eighth anniversary as an Associate. I take that blessing with me for all the members of the Aggregation.
Diana and I look back on that wonderful trip to Rome with great gratitude. We are grateful to have been able to meet the Fathers and to feel the closeness of the Eymardian family.
Thea van der Klei, sss Associate
Amsterdam