Department of Utilities
“MATER ECCLESIAE” CONVENT
Located in the Vatican Gardens, the “Mater Ecclesiae” cloistered convent belongs to a type of architecture which suggests a place of the sacred, given its style as a hermitage, but not as an architectural end in itself. The building was designed in harmony with the classical idea of sacred art finding a balance between the atmosphere of a place and the suggestion of an ecclesiastical theme.
The work to build the convent began in 1992. The building was added on to the former gardeners’ residence and consists of a simple and modern style in harmony with Pope John Paul II’s desire to create a place to house an international convent for contemplative life within the walls of Vatican City.
The preparation of the area required the demolition and restructuring of interior spaces. The overall plan is based on a geometric design which absorbs and integrates the old structure of the gardeners’ residence. The structure was radically reshaped to allow for the creation of four floors in which the second and third levels housed the 12 monastic cells and the ground and basement levels provided the community areas.
The new additions to the structure are made up of two floors totalling 450 square metres. They include the chapel and choir area reserved for the cloistered nuns. The ground floor houses the lobby and visitor’s room and the upper floor the library.
Access to the surrounding environment is by a staircase through a garden and a covered walkway. An evergreen hedge and sturdy fence block the cloistered areas from being seen outside, while two outside pathways from an entry gate allow for access by the faithful to the convent’s chapel and lobby areas respectively.
The only decorative elements come from the use of stained glass and sacred vestments, cloths and vessels contained in the small chapel creating a sense of a contemplative atmosphere. A beautiful crucifix in the chapel was donated by sculptor Francesco Messina. It creates a strong sense of mysticism as does the lunette window of the rectory which recalls the encounter with the Lord on the road to Emmaus. The side windows consist of symbolic art recalling various cloistered religious orders.