Westminster Record July 2009
Parish Profile
Italian Church: welcoming everyone Jo Siedlecka St Peter’s Italian Church in Clerkenwell has been described as ‘one of the most beautiful churches in London’. Opened in 1863, it was at the time, the only church in Britain designed in the Roman basilican style. The Irish architect John Miller Bryson worked from plans drawn by Francesco Gualandi of Bologna, modelled on the Basilica of San Crisogno in Rome. It has a tranquil feel and one could spend hours there, soaking up the prayerful atmosphere and admiring the stunning painted ceilings and artwork. History In the early 19th century the Saffron Hill area was a poor, denselypopulated neighbourhood. By 1850, nearly 2,000 Italian immigrants had settled there, chiefly employed as itinerant workers or artisans. They worshipped at the Royal Sardinian Chapel, Lincoln's Inn Fields, because they had no church of their own. In 1845, St Vincent Pallotti, founder of the Pallottine Fathers, proposed constructing a church in London for Italian immigrants. St Peter's was originally the 'Church Of All Nations' and throughout the 1860s attracted congregations of many nationalities. A Polish chapel was established in the crypt. The choir was outstanding and regular concerts were held, featuring distinguished soloists and orchestras. The Italian Church, as it soon became known, established itself with great success. The choir loggia and organ were built in 1886. The magnificent organ, now restored, was built by Belgian craftsman Anneesen and was regarded as the finest in the country at the time of its installation. It has accompanied many exceptional singers, including the great tenor, Beniamino Gigli.
Fr Carmello di Giovanni
St Peter’s 2009
St Peter’s Project
Today, St Peter's Italian Church continues to grow spiritually and pastorally, with social clubs welcoming everyone from the very young to the more senior members of the community, long-term residents and new arrivals from EU countries, especially Poland.
Unfortunately some new arrivals find it hard to settle and come with problems. A large team of volunteers at the ‘St Peter’s Project’, works with people with drug or alcohol related problems; mental or serious physical health problems; the homeless, unemployed, exprisoners and recovering drug addicts.
One Thursday afternoon, I visited St Peter's to meet parish priest Fr Carmello di Giovanni and found myself in a large dining room full of people enjoying lunch. Several couples were gliding across the dance floor, serenaded by a small Italian band. One parishioner took me to meet Fr Carmello in his office – a quiet room with a high-ceilin, creating a sense of order amidst the bustle. A Pallotine Father, he was born at Sangineto in the province of Cosenza, Southern Italy. Fr Carmello studied in Rome and was ordained in 1970 at Frascati. He has served at St Peter’s since 1971. He was joined by Polish priest Fr Ryszard Wrobel in 2005. Fr Carmello says: “In the past ten years we have seen a new phenomenon, with hundreds of young people coming from Italy to study and work in banking, architecture, medicine. St Peter’s is full of young people for Mass and more come for Confession and Adoration.” “Many young Polish people have also joined us. They seem to get on very well with the Italians. What is particularly nice is that some of them have fallen in love and got married.” Fr Carmelo tells me that last year, 150 couples took the Marriage Preparation Course at St Peter’s before marrying in their home towns. He added that the parish has also seen an increase in the number of converts from other faiths. St Peter’s has a strong catechetical programme. There is a yearly pilgrimage to Aylesford, Kent, and, at Christmas, a children’s Nativity Play. This month, on Sunday 12 July, is the annual procession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The event attracts thousands of people, and there are stalls where you can buy many Italian products. The procession has taken place since the 1880s, and it believed to be the first outdoor Catholic procession since the Reformation.
The help they offer includes advice on housing and welfare issues; assistance with finding work and job training programmes; drugrelated counselling and support; financial assistance to meet shortterm needs; food parcels and clothing; as well as longer-term financial support for drug rehabilitation programmes and friendship and spiritual support. The Project runs Thursday evening ‘drop in sessions’ for people of all faiths and none at the Holy Cross Centre near King’s Cross. Guests are offered a hot meal cooked by volunteers in a friendly, Italian environment – a few hours of friendship and warmth off the streets. As well as the meal, guests can watch Italian TV, read newspapers, have access to professional advice and counselling and can receive help with English. There are also opportunities for prayer and meditation. A cause close to Fr Carmello’s heart is the plight of prisoners. Besides regularly visiting Italian prisoners in the UK he has made many trips to see prisoners in Europe, North and South America, Africa and Asia – particularly Thailand, Hong Kong and Macao. In addition to giving some financial assistance, Fr Carmello and Fr Richard help prisoners to stay in touch with their families and friends and try to give them moral support and encouragement. In the parish guide it is written: “the last words belong to the Lord himself, for his words have been for over thirty years the inspiration for Carmelo and those around him: “When I was hungry, you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me to drink; When I was a stranger you took me in, when I was a naked you clothed me, when I was sick and in prison you visited me…” For more information Web: www.chiesaitaliana.org.uk Email: chiesaitaliana@aol.com
St Peter’s Italian Church in Clerkenwell