“Could you imagine some Jews found refuge in the basement of this church during the Nazi persecution?” That’s just one of the many stories held within the walls of SS Nome di Maria in Milan.
SS Nome di Maria stands as a testament to faith and history. It is a Roman Catholic church with a rich past. It should not be confused with another church of the same name in Rome.
The origins of SS Nome di Maria trace back to Pope Innocent XI. He instituted the feast of the Holy Name of Mary. This was after the victory against the Ottoman Empire in Vienna in 1683. Abbot Giuseppe Bianchi then started devotion to Mary’s name in 1685. Soon after, he established the Confraternity of the Most Holy Name of Mary. The confraternity was formally approved in 1688.
Initially, the members included Pope Innocent XI and Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor. Every year until 1870, the members walked in procession. They walked on the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary to Santa Maria della Vittoria. They even stopped at the Quirinal Palace to receive the Pope’s blessing.
In 1694, the confraternity moved to San Bernardo a Colonna Traiani. But they soon realized they needed a new church. They acquired the adjacent plot and built SS Nome di Maria. The church was built by the French architect Antoine Derizet between 1736 and 1741.
Before the construction of SS Nome di Maria, an icon of Mary resided in San Bernardo. This icon had a fascinating history. It was previously in the Sancta Sanctorum at the Lateran Palace. Pope Eugene IV gave it to San Bernardo in the 15th century. Once a year, it is carried in solemn procession. It goes from the site of San Bernardo to its current place. It is above the high altar of SS Nome di Maria.
The exterior of SS Nome di Maria is adorned with columns and pilasters. Statues of the evangelists and prophets grace the balustrade. At the top of the dome, you will see a lantern.
Inside, the church has an elliptical shape. Mauro Fontana and Agostino Masucci oversaw the interior decoration. Medallions depicting “Stories from the Life of Mary” embellish the dome. A 12th-century image of the Virgin and Child is placed above the high altar. The interior features seven small chapels. These chapels are decorated in polychrome marble. Two double-headed eagles with triple crowns. These are on the flanking pilasters of the high altar. They commemorate the protection granted by Emperor Leopold I.
SS Nome di Maria continues to be owned by the Archconfraternity. It is also under the protection of the House of Habsburg.
Today, SS Nome di Maria stands as a symbol of faith. It is a testament to history and artistic achievement. As you leave, remember the stories held within its walls. The echoes of prayers, processions, and the resilience of a community.