Motherhouse

Our mother  house, situated in the centre of the old city of Rome, stands as a sign of the union of our international community with the Church of Rome.

In 1885 the community was looking for a new home in Rome and an opportunity presented itself to purchase a house on Via San Sebastianello – known as Villino Margherita, an inn for travelers. The property had enough space to build a church. The Christian Brothers who lived next door warmly supported Fr. Semenenko’s efforts to purchase the property. The house was purchased for 340,000 Francs, money borrowed from a French banker.

In the spring of 1886 the community moved to their new home and renovations as well as the construction of a new church would begin.

The Motherhouse now consists of residence areas for the Superior General and his council as well as for a number of priests who are doing graduate studies at various colleges in Rome. At times there are also Resurrectionist priests living in the house who hold positions in the Vatican. In addition there is a seminary wing for young students preparing for the priesthood within the Congregation. There is a separate section that houses the Benedictine Samaritan Sisters from Poland who are in charge of the kitchen and sacrisity. 

Church of the Resurrection

History and art

Upon moving to the New Motherhouse in 1886, Fr. Peter Semenenko, co-founder of the Resurrectionists, in cooperation with Architect Pio Piacentini began construction of the chapel that is a part of the motherhouse today. Father Valerian Przewlocki, the supervisor was responsible for the actual building of the church, which was consecratedon November 5th, 1889.

The present interior of the church reflects the renovations completed in 1979 while Father Tadeusz Kaszuba was Superior General.

The church contains several paintings by well-known Polish artists: “The Ascension” by Henryk Siemiradzki “Doubting Thomas” and “Mary Magdalene” by Franciszek Krudowski “First Vows of the Resurrectionists” and “The Approval of the Congregation by Pius IX” by Franciszek Unierzynski.

It should be pointed out that the details of the “First Vows” are not historically accurate as to the people and the circumstances of the profession of vows. With regard to persons: missing from the painting are Edward Dunski, Hippolyte Terleck and Valerian Wieloglowski (a witness), whereas Bogdan Janski, Walerian Przewlocki and Caezary Plater are depicted, even though they were not present. As for the circumstances: the vows were actually pronounced after the Mass when Fr. Semenenko was no longer wearing liturgical vestments.

The marble niche-throne (where the statue of Our Lady of Mentorella is now located) is a gift from Prince Ladislaus Czartoryski. The two marble holy water fonts are the work of the sculptor Victor Brodzki. Above the main entrance to the church there is a bas-relief of the Risen Christ, the work of sculptor Pius Welonski. The altar came from an old Roman basilican, wwhile the three stained glass windows in the sanctuary depict the Risen Christ, Our blessed Mother and St. Joseph.

At the entrance to the church, on the left and identified by an appropriate plaque rest the earthly remains of our founders, transferred here from te Roman cemetery camp Verano. Just abovethis is a second larger and striking plaque honouring our first Fathers.

In the courtyard outside the church there are three items worth noting: A statue of Nicholas Copernicus sculpted by Oscar Sosnowski. Relics of Antiquity uncovered during the digging of the foundation for the church which are fixed in the wall. A marble bas-relief of the Risen Christ, the work of sculptor Michał Paszyna, a gift from the Chicago province in 1954.

Today the Chapel is used for the daily prayers of the members of the Congregation of the Resurrection who live in Rome and for our many visitors. The Eucharist is celebrated daily in our chapel and of course on Sunday.