Basilica of the Sacred Immaculate Heart of Mary, Rome, Italy

The origins of the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Heart of Mary trace back to 1922 when the General Chapter of the Claretian Missionaries accepted the transfer of land by the Holy See for the purpose of constructing a church. Following this decision, the Claretian Missionaries entrusted the design and construction of the church to the prominent architect Armando Brasini. Brasini’s architectural vision for the church was ambitious, with the foundation stone officially laid in July 1924.

Over the years, the church began to take shape. On October 21, 1934, the crypt was opened for worship, marking a significant milestone in the church’s development. During this occasion, a special liturgy was held to celebrate the beatification of Saint Anthony Mary Claret, the founder of the Claretian Order. This event solidified the church’s spiritual connection to the Claretian Missionaries and their founder.

A few years later, on May 9, 1936, the new parish dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary was inaugurated, officially marking the establishment of the church as a place of worship for the local community. The parish’s establishment further cemented the church’s role as a center for both religious and communal life in the area.

The official opening of the completed church building took place on December 7, 1952, in the presence of Cardinal Clemente Micara, who played a key role in its development. Just a year later, in 1953, Cardinal Micara returned to the church to celebrate the Consecration of Rome to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a significant event in the life of the church and its congregation.

In March 1959, the church was consecrated as a Minor Basilica, a formal recognition of its importance and status within the Catholic Church. This elevation to Minor Basilica reflected both the church’s religious significance and its architectural beauty.

The church’s most significant milestone occurred during the Advent season of 1965 when it was declared a “Titolo Cardinalizio,” or Titular Church. This decision made the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Heart of Mary one of the titular churches of Rome, further enhancing its prestige within the Roman Catholic Church.

Architecturally, the basilica stands as a remarkable example of Brasini’s vision. The church follows a unique plan with cross-shaped naves, circumscribed by a hoop that forms an aureole, symbolizing the heavenly radiance of the Virgin Mary. Though the original plans included a grand dome, it was never realized. Instead, a smaller drum was constructed, and the church now lacks the large dome that was initially envisioned, yet its design remains striking in its simplicity and grandeur.

Today, the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Heart of Mary remains the largest church in Rome after the four major basilicas, serving as a significant religious and cultural landmark, both for the city and for the Claretian Missionaries.