Chiesa di Sant'Antonio a Circonvallazione Appia

The church of St. Anthony in Circonvallazione Appia became a parish in 1988 and was entrusted to the Rogationist Fathers. The first Parish Priest was Father Gioacchino Chiapperini, who skilfully gave life to the new Parish and managed the community with commitment and responsibility. We remember the visit of Pope John Paul II to the parish, which aroused deep emotion in all the parishioners.In September 1996, Father Joachim passed the baton to Father Antonio De Vito, who, after twenty years of missionary life, ran the parish with dedication and willingness. He also gave great impetus to Caritas, in fact his volunteers excelled in collecting food and clothing to be given to the poor.In 2002, Father Mario Filippone was appointed to the direction of the parish, and with commendable commitment and willingness, he carried out his pastoral mission. With him, on 16 May 2004, the parish community experienced the solemn event of Father Hannibal Maria di Francia's canonisation with trepidation. He took on the considerable burden of renovating the parish, bringing it back to being decorously worthy of the House of God.Work started in February 2005 and was completed in June 2008. The refurbishment of the presbytery, the placement of a hitherto non-existent baptismal font and the positioning of the tabernacle in a more suitable and functional manner was carried out.Bright in its new colouring with polished marble and embellished in the nave with fine porphyry, it looks good today.The baptismal font is located at the foot of the presbytery. Of simple and elegant architecture, it is covered in marble and decorated with a beautiful mosaic depicting two doves drinking from the same cup, the symbol of the Community. Significant is the engraving in gold of the image of an ancient lamp and the quotation from Psalm 119-105: Lamp for my steps is your Word, light on my path. In the centre of the presbytery, a new altar with sober yet refined lines invites to recollection and reflection, as does the inion O CRUXAVESPES UNICA (Hail or Cross, the only hope) that can be seen at the top of the altar. At the bottom is an urn containing the relics of the Cross, St. Anthony, St. Hannibal and other saints. This urn is positioned between a bas-relief of two angels in an attitude of prayer.In the two niches on either side of the altar, the tabernacle, embellished with a mosaic that tends to draw attention to the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, has been dignifiedly arranged on one side; in the other, an urn containing the holy oils, also embellished with a mosaic depicting St. Hannibal.No detail has been overlooked in the harmony of the whole. Polished chandeliers, new pews and more comfortable and functional confessionals complete the ambience. The façade has also been thoroughly cleaned and renovated. Many other less conspicuous but equally important maintenance and repair works have been carried out until the results are there for all to see.It can be said that the Parish of St. Anthony of Padua in Circonvallazione Appia in such good shape and appearance is truly ready, on the feast of St. Anthony, 13 June 2008, to celebrate 70 years since its inauguration on 14 May 1938, and 20 years since it became a parish.In addition, on 14 June 2008, His Excellency Cardinal Angelo Comastri presided at the Eucharistic Celebration of the consecration of the Church with a large turnout of faithful. The marble plaque placed near the church exit bears witness to this.In September 2008, Father Luigi Di Bitonto took over the leadership of the parish, showing himself to be an attentive and devoted shepherd of souls, who cared for his flock, seeking to revive faith in the Lord in every parishioner. He also dedicated himself to the embellishment of the newly restored Church, enriching it with a beautiful organ, a generous gift from many devoted parishioners.In September 2011, he passed the baton to Father Paolo Bertapelle, whom we can say we have seen grow up in this parish, where he took up service when he was still a deacon, received his priestly order here, and began his priestly ministry. Many have been the parish vicars who have taken turns over the years, all dear to the hearts of the faithful because they have been able to give support and spiritual support to all. Among them are Father Vincenzo Santarella, Father Riccardo Pignatelli, Father Zuhir Nasser, Father Mario Di Pasquale, Father Giacomo Rossini and Father Pasquale Maranò.In October 2017, the baton was passed on to Father Antonio di Tuoro, who immediately showed great willingness and broad openness to the problems of parishioners and less fortunate brothers and sisters; in fact, the theme to be lived out in the Catechesis and liturgy of 2017-2018 is based precisely on the slogan LISTEN - WELCOME - LOVE is a really good start! It brought together the various voluntary groups, helping to make them better known; it reinvigorated the Parish Council, giving Caritas a broader scope. From 22 January, an important neo-catechumenal path began with a catechesis course for young people and adults twice a week. Every Friday, the parish opens its doors to welcome, breakfast and clothes for street brothers.1 March 2018 marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the parish and the 80th year since its inauguration. The programme chosen, based on the conviction Father Hannibal had of the presence of Jesus in all poor and suffering people, will be particularly aimed at the less fortunate with a church lunch for around 150 street brothers and sisters with the cooperation of volunteers and parishioners on 1 March at 12 noon. In the afternoon, at 5.30 p.m., Eucharistic Adoration and Solemn Vespers were celebrated. This was followed, at 6.30 p.m., by the Eucharistic Concelebration presided over by H.E. Monsignor Giuseppe Marciante, Auxiliary Bishop of the Eastern Sector of Rome. The important event was rounded off by a Triduum of Prayer on 2, 3 and 4 March, attended by some Rogationist Fathers who have been parish priests in the parish and other religious personalities with whom we experienced and shared this truly eventful programme.The first orphanage, but the laying of the foundation stone of the present one took place in 1934.