In 1837, Kajsiewicz and Semenenko settled in Rome to continue their theological studies. A year later, Józef Hube and Edward Duński joined them. This is how the Roman “house” was established, with Piotr Semenenko elected as its first superior. What struck Hieronim Kajsiewicz and Piotr Semenenko most upon their first encounter with Rome were the words inscribed in the main altar of the church of St. Ignatius of Loyola: Ego vobis Romae propitius ero (In Rome, I will be gracious to you). This grace of God has accompanied the Resurrectionists in the Eternal City from that moment until today.
After making their first vows in March 1842, our first Fathers, wishing to lead a religious life and begin apostolic work, sought the possibility of acquiring a church in Rome. Through the efforts of Princess Borghese, they received from the French government the church of St. Claudius near Piazza San Silvestro. When in 1885 it became clear that the residence at the church of St. Claudius had to be vacated, a favorable opportunity arose to purchase a house on Via San Sebastianello, called Villino Margherita, which served as an inn for travelers. The land was large enough to build a church as well. The School Brothers, who lived nearby, warmly supported Father Semenenko’s efforts to acquire this property. The property was purchased, and in the spring of 1886, the first religious moved into the new house. Both necessary renovations and the construction of the church could then begin.
The Resurrectionists, having settled in the capital of Christianity, established their main headquarters here. Here they formed young religious, who later, by the will of their superiors, went to missions in Europe and overseas. Here lie the mortal remains of the Founders, here everything most important in the history of the Congregation took place, and here the entire spirituality of the Resurrectionists matured.
The General House, located in the very center of Rome, is also a sign of the unity of our international religious congregation with the Universal Church.
