The Church of San Benedetto

Built on the ruins of a noble Roman household in 543, the Church of San Benedetto, in Piazza in Piscinula in Trastevere, has undergone multiple renovations, restorations and uses over the years after passing through multiple families and entities (including a hospital and a convent). To this day, San Benedetto houses the smallest bell tower in all of Rome.

It was formally entered into the records by the Church in 1192 and legend goes that Benedictus, before earning his sainthood, stayed in a small cell in 470 – on the left-hand side of the chapel – before leaving Rome and his family to pursue a life of prayer in Lazio. 

It remained open in multiple capacities until the property was purchased by the Lancelloti family, and closed to public prayer. It was only until 1939, after one of the family members, Elvira Racamoni-Rinaldi was inexplicably cured from a years-long disease and declared herself to be cured by Saint Rita, the saint of the impossible. In response to her miracle, Elvira opened the church to the public in order to become a center of prayer.

Most recently, in 2003, the Vicariate of Rome entrusted the Church of San Benedetto to the Heralds of the Gospel, an international association of Pontifical Right. 

“The fundamental objective of the formation of the lay faithful is an ever-clearer discovery of one’s vocation and the ever-greater willingness to live it so as to fulfill one’s mission.”

Hours for visiting:

6p-7:45p

Please be mindful of active mass.