San Vincenzo, Renaissance monastery in Bassano Romano, Italy
San Vincenzo is a monastery in Bassano Romano, built after World War II around a 17th-century church commissioned by the Giustiniani family. The church follows the architectural style of Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola, with bare walls decorated only with simple stuccoes. Inside are two plaques recording indulgences of Pope Innocent X and two canvases flanking the transept.
The church of San Vincenzo was built in the 17th century by the Giustiniani family as their mausoleum, designed in the style of Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola. In 1607 Marquis Vincenzo Giustiniani bought Michelangelo's unfinished Risen Christ (1514-1516) for the family chapel. Prince Odescalchi donated the complex and land to the Silvestrine Benedictine monks in 1940; the present monastery was built after the war around the church.
The church was already dedicated to Saint Vincent of Saragossa, a 3rd-century Spanish deacon, before becoming, over 25 years ago, the shrine church of the Holy Face of Jesus. This followed the work of Father Ildebrando Gregori, spiritual father to Sister Maria Pierina De Micheli. A life-size copy of the Turin Shroud is displayed inside, and a Mass with an hour of adoration is held on the last Tuesday of each month.
The monastery runs a guest house named after abbot Ildebrando Gregori, with 120 beds, meeting rooms and self-managed kitchens, open to groups and individual guests. The monks pray the Liturgy of the Hours daily in the choir, and a Mass with an hour of adoration is held on the last Tuesday of each month. The church also holds a life-size copy of the Turin Shroud.
The monks operate a traditional herb pharmacy where they prepare products like tinctures, salves, and herbal teas using old recipes. Visitors can purchase these handmade items as a direct connection to the monastery's craft tradition.
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