Chiesa di San Josemaria Escrivà

It saw the light of day the day after the beatification of Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, founder of Opus Dei (17 May 1992): on that occasion the Prelate of the Work, Álvaro del Portillo, presented the Pope with some plans and ideas for the construction of a new church in Rome, dedicated to the new Blessed. The final plans for the sacred building were made by architect Santiago Hernandez. The construction work began in 1994 (the laying of the foundation stone by Cardinal Camillo Ruini on 15 May was in that year) and was completed two years later: Pope John Paul II himself solemnly consecrated the new church on 10 March 1996.The church is a parish seat, erected by Cardinal Vicar Camillo Ruini on 9 November 1992 and entrusted to Opus Dei.Externally, the church is completely clad in exposed brickwork and travertine. It is preceded by a large porphyry churchyard, surrounded by a gate and decorated with trees and flower beds. The façade with portico is surmounted by a tympanum, in the centre of which is a travertine Holy Family by sculptor Romano Cosci. On either side of the main entrance door are: the plaque commemorating the solemn consecration; and the foundation stone of the building. The façade is flanked by a bell tower, on one side of which is a sculptural work by Cosci depicting an angel.Inside, the church has a single nave, converging towards the high altar and the large altarpiece above it, at the centre of which is the tabernacle. The floor is made of granite and the walls covered in travertine; the ceiling is coffered with coloured panels. The high altar is made of marble; the symbols of the four evangelists and the reliquary of the titular saint of the church are placed there.The large altarpiece, by the Spaniard Armando Pareja, consists of eight paintings on canvas glued onto wood. The six side panels depict various Gospel episodes: the Annunciation, the visitation of Mary to St. Elizabeth, the adoration of the Magi, the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt, Jesus among the Doctors of the Temple and a work scene in Joseph's workshop. The two central paintings depict: the Trinity in Glory, St. Josemaria with the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph and angels; and the Crucifixion. The altarpiece rests on a high wooden base, composed of eighteen panels, where symbols and ejaculators of Marian content are inserted. In the centre of the altarpiece is the tabernacle, a gilded shrine, above which the Annunciation is depicted.To the left of the high altar is the travertine baptistery, with a painting by Pareja depicting the Baptism of Jesus. The nave of the church is still adorned with a polychrome plaster statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, fourteen bronze panels of the Stations of the Cross by Cosci and four frescoes on the back wall of the church. Along the left wall of the nave is the Pinchi pipe organ opus 408, built in 1996; in a single body and with fully mechanical transmission, it has 18 registers on two manuals and pedal for a total of 1222 pipes.Attached to the church is the weekday chapel dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, depicted by two paintings on either side of the altar. Of notable decorative effect is the small apse above the altar and tabernacle, decorated with mosaics depicting the Coronation of the Virgin Mary flanked by saints.