The Circolo San Pietro – in English, the “St Peter Circle” – was founded in Rome
in 1869. It was born of the enthusiasm of young men from the upper class and from
the families of Roman nobility who desired to witness to the world their fidelity
to the Pope and to defend him against anticlerical attacks during a difficult moment
in the history of the papacy.
The Circle offered comfort and aid to the poor
of the city of Rome through many periods of great difficuly, including the two world
wars. Conducted through various committees, the activities of the Circle now reach
all areas of human poverty and seek to respond to many persons in need – though one
of its most important missions continues to be that of feeding the hungry: today the
Circle serves 50,000 meals every year in three kitchens located in different areas
of the city.
The Popes have continued to rely on the Circle for the achievement
of important services: in the occasion of the Jubilee Year of 2000, Blessed John Paul
II honored the Circle by making it responsible for distributing 500 free meals every
day at the four patriarchal basilicas in Rome to poor pilgrims who travelled to Rome
for the Holy Year.
In his remarks to the delegation of Circle members he received
on Friday in the Apostolic Palace, Pope Benedict XVI thanked them for their service,
and especially for their traditional gift in support of the Pope’s own charitable
initiatives. He especially praised the powerful faith that animates the Circle’s service.
“Faith, charity and witness,” he said, “continue to guide your apostolate.”
“Dear
friends,” said Pope Benedict, “today as yesterday, gospel witness through acts of
charity touches the hearts of men in a particular way: the New Evangelization, especially
in a cosmopolitan city like Rome, requires great openness of spirit and wise willingness
to help all those in need.”
It was in this specific connection that the Holy
Father praised the most recent activity undertaken by the Circle: a hospice centre
for the terminally ill, which opened in 1998 at the Rome’s Sacred Heart clinic, where
patients are welcomed into a peaceful and familial atmosphere at a most delicate and
difficult time in their lives, and where they are lovingly assisted by a group of
specially-trained volunteers.
With these and many other activities the Circolo
San Pietro sodality continues its 138-year history of service. Listen