A permanent church was thus established at this location to honor the memory of St. Jerome, who is famous for having translated the Bible into one language, Latin. Many years later St. Pilip Neri came to live here for a certain period of time, giving further meaning to the site. Today the church is under the care of Opus Dei.
The present magnificent structure was completed in 1660, a jewel of sacred architecture. There is a definite mystery about this thing called architecture and in Rome it comes alive in a special way. Good architecture is as tangible a thing as good literature or song. It allows us to improve ourselves by entering further into the mystery of the divine.
Upon entering the main portal, the eyes of visitors are drawn to the first chapel on the right in rear of the church. This is the Cappella Spada with its magnificent altar rail that is the subject of this short article. The beauty of such a creation is limited only by the ability to understand and appreciate it.
The rail itself is by Bernini's pupil Antonio Giorgetti, clearly influenced by the master, who is responsible for the decoration of the interior of the Vatican Basilica. The rail was made from 1654-1657, greatly influenced by the flavor of the age and its contemporary surroundings.
The brilliance of the rail is reflected in the choice of marble and the genius of the creation is shown forth by the carved design, intended to resemble a communion cloth -- an illusionistic shroud held by two angels in the style of Roman Baroque. The choice marble selected was jasper, all within the lavish splendor of a typical sumptuous chapel and church in Counter-Reformation Rome.
Giorgetti, although not that well known today, was born in Rome in 1635. A disciple of Bernini, he also carved the angel with the sponge on the Ponte Sant'Angelo, working for Bernini and under his authority.
His manner is distinguished slightly from Bernini. In the Cappella Spada he carved two similar angels, although keeling in adoration, while also beckoning the Christian faithful to the altar of sacrifice.
This luminous theme of receiving Holy Communion, a holy act that even angels cannot participate, gives clear food for thought. The physiognomy of the angelic faces shines in brilliance with glowing sheen, frozen forever in time by a great artist who with this unique piece of artistic expression created a lasting masterpiece for the ages that inspires belief in the True Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.
