Igreja do Loreto
Igreja dos italianos em Lisboa,
dedicada a Nossa Senhora do Loreto na Itália,
onde se encontra a Casa da Sagrada Família de Nazaré.
Bula
da fundação da Igreja do Loreto
08 de Abril de 1518
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Fernandina Wall (1373), surrounded Lisbon in a perimeter of 7,500 steps
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Old drawing by Alberto Sousa where you can see the western face of Rua Larga de S. Roque (today Rua da Misericórdia) in the third quarter of the 16th century. The Álvaro Pais tower, to the left of the image, is followed by S. Roque's arch (or wicket).
Manueline Church of Loreto
Doors of Santa Catarina
Our Lady of Loreto Lisbon
History of the Church of Our Lady of Loreto
This Church was built as a place of religious worship in 1550 next to Sta's Catarina‘s Gates opened in the Fernandina’s fence, the wall that climbed the actual Street of Misericordia, which has been partially demolished in 1707.
At the end of the 15th century, near a chapel dedicated to Sto Antonio, an Italian colony, large enough to form a parish, began to invoke Our Lady of Loreto. As the Church was small, it was enlarged in 1573, but in1651 a huge fire destroyed it.
Rebuilt again with twelve chapels, in addition to the Main Chapel, even then it was possible to admire the statues of the evangelists S. Lucas and S. Marcos, one on the side of the Gospel and the other on the side of the Epistle, as well as the statues of the twelve Apostles in the superior niches, along the main nave of the Church. Dozens of paintings, and precious marbles imported from Genoa have also become part of the Church.
Another major disaster was the earthquake of 1755, followed by a violent fire, that broke out two days later, and destroyed the interior of the Church and it’s southwest walls. And once again the Church was restored, this time by the architect José da Costa Silva, also in charge of the S. Carlos Theatre in Chiado, Lisbon.
The statues of the Apostels, destroyed by the heat of fire, have been replaced by peintures, and one of the chapels on the west facade gave place to a new side door.
Restoration’ works lasted 30 years and the church was inaugurated in1785.
The Church has a great historical and artistic value whish shines through its harmony.
The large fresco of the ceiling has been painted by Pedro Alexandrino.
Some altars are dedicated to Patron Saints of Italian cities:
S. João Baptista e Sta. Catarina de Génova (Genoa, Turin and Florence), S. Carlos Borromeu (Milan),
S. Francisco de Assis, S. Francisco de Paula (Naples).
On the Main Altar stands out, obviously, the image of the Holy Patron Nossa Senhora do Loreto.
The tricentennial statue venerated in our Church is made of dark cedar wood from Lebanon and,
is a reproduction of the statue of Nossa Senhora do Loreto that was venerated at
Santa Casa do Loreto in Italy.
On either side of the Main Altar are the flags of Vatican and Italy.
In 1862, the Rector of the time, Father Prospero Peragallo, born in Chivari,
introduced chairs for the faithful, an absolute novelty in Portugal.
Recent restoration
The great historical and artistic value of the Church, it’s composition and harmony, have been brought into light by the splendid works of restoration made along 2017, over the paintings and lightning structure, that returned to the Church it’s magnificent and artistic expression.
Sacristy
The Sacristy holds a special and rich collection of ornamental elements. Its antiquity (1657) and its resistance to the earthquake and fire, combined with the old wooden set of sideboards of sacristy, tiles and mural splendid fresco by Antonio Machado Sapeiro, make of it a unique jewel.
Social and historical notoriety
Among the famous personalities who have passed through this Church, the following should be refered: Father Antonio Vieira (1676); King D. Joao VI, the Queen and her court; Pope Pius VI, while still a cardinal (1799). Queen Maria Pia de Sabia, wife of D. Luis (1862) has been present. Cardinal Angelo Roncalli, future Pope John XXIII, also celebrated a solemn Mass (1956).
Discoveries
At dawn of the Discoveries, when Lusitanians "gave the World new worlds," as the excellent Camoes put it, merchants, bankers, Italian navigators, and in particular, Genoese, intuited, at the end of the 16th century, that Lisbon (not Venice) was the new queen of the oceans. Quickly, they won the sympathy of the Portuguese King who helped them to confront the redoubtable Spain.
While Italy was subdivided into Republics and Mini-States, the Italian community of Lisbon was associated under the name of "Italian Nation".
Christopher Columbus married a young woman from Madeira and studied navigation techniques at the famous Sagres school. Having asked the King of Portugal in vain for support, he obtained from the Spanish crown the support he needed and undertook the first maritime expedition to America (1492).
Humanism and Christianity
Carlo A. Ciampi, President of the Italian Republic, declared that "humanism and Christianity founded the Italian culture, which is two thousand years old."
These two approaches guided the "Founders" of the Church, who obtained from Pope Leo X and the Lateran Chapter the approval of the Statute of the « Confraternity of Our Lady of Loreto » (1518), recognizing certain privileges of exemption from subordination to the diocesan Bishop and the faculty of building a place of worship for the Italian Community, of which he still owns. That’s why the flags of Italy and the Vatican are displayed in the presbytery of the Church, and the rector is appointed by the Vatican.
An iconic testimony
In 1896, Father Peragallo, the Rector emeritus, in his farewell letter, sent to the Provider of Nossa Senhora do Loreto Church, after 31 years of service, wrote: "The Church deserves our attention, because in addition to being the most frequented church in Lisbon, it is also an outstanding monument, where the religion of our ancestors, combined with the purest and most enlightened patriotism, have endowed this welcoming city with an incomparable splendor. Therefore, we must be zealous to preserve it and have the pride of amplifying it.
Loreto: "International Marian Shrine"
Loreto, from the Latin Lauretum, means "Loureiral", which was the setting where Santa Casa has been placed.
Since the 10th December 1294, that Casa de Nazaré "relic", linked to Our Lady’s life: childhood, annunciation, conception of Jesus, and life of Holy Family, is kept there.
Loreto is « the first sanctuary of international significance, dedicated to the Virgin and, for centuries, the true heart of Christianity » (John Paul II),
Nossa Senhora do Loreto, Patron of Aviation
NOur Lady of Loreto is always regarded by aviation professionals as their Protector and Patron Saint, who accompanies them on their frequent trips.
Their annual celebration, whose solemn Mass is presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio, the Pope's representative in Portugal, is attended by numerous Italians including the Italian Ambassador and the staff of de Italian Cultural Institute, also Portuguese governmental and Military authorities which are invited, as well as representatives of Aviation Companies and Associations , including Alitalia.
In this Church “an Italian parish in Lisbon”, we assume and preserve the laurel spirituality, and on Sunday morning, the Mass is celebrated in the language of Dante.
The Tower of Álvaro Pais
Álvaro Pais' tower is followed by S. Roque's arch (or wicket). From there until the wicket of the Old Church of the Trinity, watched to the North by a tower, you can see the "dunghill" against the wall and against the intermediate tower.
In the Church of Trindade the ("Olho de boi") “Bull's eye” is observed over the wall.
Following the wicket that faces it, 17 houses are lined up, up to the "Manueline Church of Loreto",
the initial five being those of the (Mercearias) Grocery’s Stores of Álvaro Gonçalves de Moura, and the others of several owners.
The 11th and 12th properties lean against a wall tower.
Next to Loreto is the towered enclosure of Portas de Santa Catarina, with its two advanced towers and a pentagonal tower, retracted, defending the doors. By overlapping the current plan, the correspondences of the buildings are observed.
(Drawing by Alberto Sousa)
500 years of the Church of Loreto
Authentic faith
The Church of Loreto is a church whose mission is to involve people in the faith of Christ and in His word.
We are dedicated to sharing the love of Christ through Prayer, Communion and Adoration.
Our church is not just a house of worship, the members and believers unite to practice the word of God, celebrate His love and extend His gifts to all.
