History and Goals
The Brotherhood of Santa Maria dell’Anima has cared for the Pontifical Institute of the same name for over 600 years. The institute traces its roots to a hospice founded in 1350 for pilgrims from the Holy Roman Empire in the Eternal City.
Since 1406, this institute has been directly under the Holy See. This extraordinary privilege also gave the Brotherhood a special status. From the very beginning, high-ranking members of the papal Curia and prominent families of the Holy Roman Empire were part of the Brotherhood. Membership was obtained by registration in the Brotherhood’s book and by supporting the Anima.
Among the members of the Brotherhood residing in Rome, the group of “Provisors” bore responsibility for the institute and elected the “Provisor Regens,” the Rector of the Anima.
It is assumed that Emperor Sigismund, crowned emperor during the construction of the first church of the Anima in 1433, became a member of the Brotherhood.
Emperor Frederick III., who left two coat-of-arms stones in the Anima on the occasion of his coronation, was certainly admitted into the Brotherhood.
His son, Emperor Maximilian, never came to Rome but granted the Anima imperial immediacy. Emperor Charles V is recorded in the Brotherhood’s book together with his high-ranking entourage.
Subsequently, all emperors of the Holy Roman Empire who visited Rome became members of the Brotherhood. A number of popes also inscribed their names in the Brotherhood’s book.
The 17th and 18th centuries were a flourishing period for the Anima and its Brotherhood. Unlike many other ecclesiastical organizations in Rome, the Anima survived the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire and the Napoleonic upheavals without losing its substance.
During the Imperial Recess of 1803, the Anima was the only ecclesiastical institute with imperial immediacy that was not secularized. Since the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806 and the reorganization of its territories, the Anima, together with the Principality of Liechtenstein, remains the last surviving remnant of the Holy Roman Empire.
Despite the Napoleonic occupation and plundering, the Anima endured. The House of Austria continued to protect the institute, and the popes showed their favor. In the 1859 reorganization, the role of the Provisors was continued by the administrative council, in which the Brotherhood has since continued to exist.
Pope Pius X. registered in the Brotherhood’s book on the 50th anniversary of the Anima Priestly College. The most recent entry in the Brotherhood’s book is the signature of Saint Pope John Paul II.
Mission
From the very beginning, the mission of the Anima—as a hospice, center of pilgrim pastoral care, and priestly college—has been to foster the connection between the broad heart of Europe, once encompassed by the Holy Roman Empire, and the Holy Father, the Bishop of Rome and successor of St. Peter. It has been and remains a center of communication in the heart of the Eternal City: as a parish, a community of priests in advanced formation, and a place of spiritual guidance for pilgrims. Through personal experience and encounter, mutual understanding of the diverse cultures of this European region is nurtured and deepened, making it fruitful for service in God’s Kingdom. Especially in the face of the growing threat of media distortion, direct encounter and understanding are more important than ever. Therefore, the mission of the Brotherhood is no longer limited to the core function of administering the institute. The original possibility of widely distributed membership is being renewed.
Membership
Members of the Brotherhood are expected to feel connected to the Pontifical Institute of Santa Maria dell’Anima and, to the best of their abilities, contribute to promoting the services of the Anima as a living link between Rome and Catholics throughout central Europe.
In this spirit, an annual meeting of Brotherhood members (on the feast of Santa Maria dell’Anima, the Sunday after All Souls’ Day) strengthens connections among members, encourages the exchange of experiences in living a life of faith, and invokes God’s assistance through the intercession of Our Lady of the Souls.
Through the community of prayer, members of the Brotherhood also uphold the intentions of the Holy Father and the mission of the Anima. In daily prayer, they support one another. At least once a month, a Holy Mass is celebrated in Santa Maria dell’Anima for the members of the Brotherhood. Membership is open to all former members of the Priestly College as well as qualified individuals from all walks of life.
Current special responsibilities include:
Assisting in the preservation and beautification of the church
Maintaining the archive (the most important private archive in Rome)
Promoting church music
Initiating the beatification process for Pope Adrian VI
