Oratory of San Francesco Saverio del Caravita
| Oratorio di San Francesco Saverio del Caravita Oratory of Saint Francis Xavier "del Caravita" |
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Interior of the Caravita Oratory
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| Basic information | |
| Location |
 Rome, Italy
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| Geographic coordinates | 41°53′57.4″N 12°28′46.92″E / 41.899278°N 12.4797000°ECoordinates: 41°53′57.4″N 12°28′46.92″E / 41.899278°N 12.4797000°E |
| Affiliation | Catholic Church |
| Rite | Latin |
| Country | Italy |
| Year consecrated | 1631 |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Oratory (worship) |
| Architectural description | |
| Architect(s) | Pietro Gravita, S.J. |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Architectural style | Baroque |
| Groundbreaking | 1631-09-08 |
| Completed | 1633 |
| Direction of façade | N |
The Oratory of San Francesco Saverio del Caravita (St. Francis Xavier “del Caravita”) is a 17th-century baroque oratory in Rome, near the Church of Sant’Ignazio in rione Pigna. It is home to the Caravita Community, an international English-language Catholic community in Rome.
The current oratory is built over the ruins of the late twelfth century Church of San Nicola de Forbitoribus. The earliest reference to San Nicola is in the Ordo of Cencius Camerarius of 1192.
“Forbitoribus” apparently refers to the Confraternity of the “Forbiciai” – the ‘scissors-makers’ and manufacturers of knives. It was a common practice in the 12th century for churches to be sponsored by specific guilds or artisans’ associations, such as Saint Benedict of the Kettle-Makers (de Caccabis), Saint Mary of the Blacksmiths (de Ferraris), Saint Nicholas of the Lime Burners (Calcarariorum), Saint Nicholas of the Rope Makers (Funariorum).
The Church of San Nicola is referenced in a bull of Pope Urban V (1362-1370). On 1 September 1405, the church and bell tower were struck by lightning and suffered considerable damage.
On 14 September 1551, Pope Julius II entrusted the Church to the Camaldolese monks, who established a monastery adjacent to the church dedicated to Saint Anthony of Egypt.
By 1631, the Society of Jesus had established itself next door with the Collegio Romano, and sought to expand nearby to accommodate the active Sodalities and Lay Congregations regularly meeting in the College. The Jesuits acquired the property from the Camaldolese in exchange for a site near Piazza Venezia. The Camaldolese relocated to San Romualdo, and the Jesuits set about demolishing the older church and monastery in favor of a new oratory.
The current oratory was built by the Jesuit Pietro Gravita, from 1631-1633, with the financial support of a number of noble families who resided in the neighborhood near the Pantheon. Construction was inaugurated on 8 September 1631 with the blessing of Bishop Emilio Altieri, an alumnus of the Collegio Romano and Bishop of Camerino, La Marche, from 1627-1666. Created a cardinal in 1669, Bishop Altieri was elected Pope Clement X in 1670.
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