THE CONVENT OF THE CAPPUCCINI FRIARS

THE HISTORY

The convent of the Cappuccini Friars of Montefiascone is situated right outside of town, on Verentana road. From here you can see a panoramic view, second only to the local Rocca dei Papi (Fortress of the Popes).  As is characteristic of the Cappuccini, the  location has an architectural structure complete with church and convent. Initially the brothers lived in the city, in a house donated by Mrs. Armellina on 5 May, 1568. On 4 February, 1580, the Cathedral Chapter`s new structure which was built for the Capuchin Community of Montefiascone in the town of Tartarola, was blessed “for the praise and worship of Almighty God and of the Virgin Mary, his Mother.”  On September 1st, 1591, the church was consecrated by diocesan bishop Msgr. Bentivoglio in honor of the martyr Saint Felicity. Since the Cappuccini preacher Charles Motrone made the church popular as “The Church of our Lady Victory,” a representation of Saint Felicity (painted by Gaetano Lapis) was placed up on the alter. Additionally, she is celebrated annually at a folk festival. This convent was home to the Seraphic Seminary “St. Anthony,” for boys aspiring to the Cappuccini life. Beginning in 1981, it housed this high school along with other state high schools.  During the plague that lasted from 1657-1658, four Cappuccini Friars died while assisting the plague victims in the village and surrounding lake area. Again, Cappuccini volunteers were at the forefront in assisting those plagued in the epidemic in 1761. Because of this, Friar Felice from Montefiasone (Zampetta Joseph) wrote an instructional book of sanitary procedures to assist those affected by the plague since he himself was no longer able to help them. In 1884, mayor Mauri, on behalf of the town board, asked the Cappuccini Friars to assist the sick since they expected another outbreak of the plague. Since no one else was able to do it, the convent established a quarantine area in 1916 where 16 patients were hospitalized for meningitis. In 1873, following the law that suppressed religious institutions and confiscated goods, the Cappuccini Friars were forced to leave the convent and take refuge with some accommodating familes in the city. Others took refuge in the village of Zepponami, and built the church of the Madonna of the lilies in 1873. In 1892, the Friars managed to buy back their convent and move back to their original home. The last world war caused the convent to see many diverse peoples, both German and American. The cellar of the convent became a welcoming safe haven for many families during the bombings.  On May 26th, 1944 at 7:10am, bombs fell in the garden of the convent, but did not harm people inside. During the war, the convent became not only a shelter, but also a place that collected food and clothing for those who lost their homes and possessions. Over the centuries, 31 citizens have become Cappuccini Friars of Montefiascone. One of these, Friar Felice, is known as the “servant of God,” who died in the sanctuary in 1828. Many still remember the “tooth puller” Lorenzo, and in particular, Priest Bernard Fioretti who was a professor of classics in the state schools. Fioretti died in 1980 in the district of Zepponami. Today, only the last two Cappuccini Friars are alive. Enrico Rinaldi who is a missionary in Madagascar, and Felice Cosimi, who is a chaplain of the workers of ATAC and STEFER (transportation companies) in Rome.

DESCRIPTION

Now, the structure of the monastery of the Cappuccini Friars of Montefiascone is a house that welcomes all people, especially youth groups or those who want to experience a simple life in a place full of Cappuccini-Franciscan history. The church is composed of the entrance on the left-hand side, and has the capacity to hold 180 bunk beds spread out through the rooms and dormitories. On the ground floor there is the dining hall, the library, and the spaces that were added to the cloister (courtyard). In primitive small dining hall is a fresco (a mural painting that uses layers of paint upon laid lime plaster) that depicts the Holy Family Rest on the escape into Egypt with the upper left corner of the Barbarigo Seminary. Also important, is the painting of the Marriage of St. Catherine. Both works date back to the seventeenth century. At the center of the cloister (courtyard) is a quadrangular well, intended to accommodate the rain water on the roof. This well is deep enough to allow the rain to water the garden, and was important to the life of the Friars. The upper floor contains reserved rooms for night stay, and common areas, such as a reading room, video room, and another room used as a dining hall. The house offers its guests ample gardens  with areas equipped for sports and entertainment such as a small volleyball court, a soccer field, and a grill area with a wood-burning oven.   The view from this house overlooks the sea near Civitavecchia and Montalto, and the Island of Giglio. on the other side, it looks up to Mount Amiata and Radicofani, towards Siena, and contains a spellbinding view of Bolsena Lake which is beautiful when the sunsets. The Cimini Mountains and Viterbo are close to the horizon towards Rome.

ESSENTIAL BIBLIOGRAPHY

G. BRECCOLA – M. MARI, Montefiascone, Grotte di Castro 1979.
P. BRIGLIOZZI, Storia del Convento dei Cappuccini in “La Voce”, mensile di Montefiascone, Montefiascone 1977.
CORDOVANI, I Cappuccini a Montefiascone, Montefiascone 1982.
R. CORDOVANI, Cronaca manoscritta del convento dei cappuccini di Montefiascone, in Biblioteca e Società, Viterbo 1982.