Sunday Mass in English in Rome: Santa Maria della Scala

There are many churches one could go to for the  Sunday Eucharist in English while in Rome.  What may be less known is the one held at the Church of Santa Maria della Scala.  The mass begins at 10.30am. It is quiet and homely!  The church is at the Piazza della Scala, and only 20 minutes walk from St. Peters – in the direction of Ponte Garibaldi.  The church has always been, as it is now, under the care of the Discalced Carmelites.  It is very convenient to participate in the Sunday Eucharist, and then walk up to St Peters to pray the Angelus with the Holy Father.

Additional features in this church include the relic (one foot) of St Theresa of Avila, which is venerated at a side chapel.  You might want to reach the church a little early before the mass to pray quietly in this very beautiful and prayerful ambient.  There are also very valuable paintings in the church, including “The Death of the Virgin” by Carlo Saraceni.  The mortal remains of Servant of God Cardinal Francios-Xavier Nguyen van Thuan (of Vietnam) are also interred in this church.

The church is not crowded with a lot of tourists, and the priests are exceptionally friendly.

At the same Piazza there is the Carmelite Farmacia, which, for some centuries, served as the official supplier of medicine for the Popes. This is open to the public on weekdays.

I had the privilege of presiding at the  Sunday Eucharist at this prayerful place on 22 July 2012.