Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest Reopens Church in Naples, Italy

Church of Santa Maria del Rosario in Pigne

Posted on 1 December 2017.  See additional photos and original post here.

Institute Reopens Church in Naples, Italy

His Eminence, Crescenzio Cardinal Sepe, Archbishop of Naples, has entrusted to the Institute the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary “alle Pigne” (Chiesa di Santa Maria del Rosario alle Pigne). Along with the canonical establishment of this apostolate, Cardinal Sepe has nominated as Rector of the church Canon Louis Valadier.

Located in Piazza Cavour in downtown Naples about a ten minute walk from the Cathedral, Our Lady of the Rosary Church “alle Pigne” had suffered damage in the 1980 earthquake. Despite restoration work in the 1990s, it had not been reopened. Dating from the 17th century, the church is the artistic masterpiece of Arcangelo Guglielmelli.

At the invitation of Cardinal Sepe, the Institute clergy and local faithful worked to prepare the church for the solemn ceremony of reopening on Friday evening, October 6. To represent the Cardinal at the ceremony, the Most Reverend Lucio Lemmo, Auxiliary Bishop, presided. The Prior general of the Institute, Monsignor Gilles Wach, was present, along with the Institute’s resident clergy in Naples, Canon Louis Valadier, ​Canon Guillaume Fenoll, ​Canon Florian Braun, and seminarian Abbe Andrea De Pas​cale. The Archbishop’s Delegate for the union of Catholic Works attended, as well as several civil and military authorities, such as the Commandant of the Carabinieri of the City’s Stella neighborhood.

The statue of Our Lady of the Rosary on the exterior façade of the church was solemnly crowned. Bishop Lemmo blessed the restored wooden statue of Our Lady of the Rosary venerated above the high altar. Solemn High Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Wach.

The evening’s events included a performance by the Giubileo choir, which sang popular songs of Neapolitan tradition, festive fireworks, and a buffet reception.

The apostolate website can be viewed here. Mass is celebrated daily at 7:00pm.

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