Interview by REGINA Staff:
This interview appeared in the print version of REGINA Magazine’s Jubilee Year Edition, 2025
REGINA spoke to Fabrizio Azzola about the remarkable work of the Archiconfraternita della Santissima Trinita dei Pellegrini e dei Convalescenti (Archconfraternity of the Holy Trinity of Pilgrims and Convalescents), a voluntary association of lay faithful started by St. Philip Neri, in 1540.
REGINA / Thank you for taking the time to speak with REGINA Magazine. I know that the Archconfraternity has experienced a remarkable resurgence over the past few years.
Can you first tell us a little about your role with the organization, then we can get into why it is making a comeback?
Fabrizio: I am currently one of the two Guardians assisting the Primicerius – who is also the parish priest of Santa Trinità dei Pellegrini – in the governance of the Archconfraternity.
Regina/ Let’s discuss the history of the Archconfraternity. It was founded by St. Philip Neri – what was his intent when it was first founded, and what is the connection to Santissima Trinita?
Fabrizio: In 1540 a group of men led by Philip Neri and Fr. Persiano Rosa began to meet regularly for Eucharistic adoration, to receive the Sacraments more regularly, to deepen their knowledge of the faith and to help the poor. By 1548 the group had grown considerably, and it was constituted as a confraternity. Then, with the Jubilee of 1550, the new confraternity shone in its dedication to the pilgrims and its fame began to grow.
In 1558 the Pope gave them what is now the Church of SS. Trinità dei Pellegrini. They were instrumental in spreading the Forty Hour’s devotion, and the Eucharist was always the source and summit of the faith and the works of the brothers. In time, even Popes, Cardinals, aristocrats from all over Christendom would seek membership with the Archconfraternity. They would come to wash the feet of the poor and to assist them in our hospital and in the various houses that were acquired thanks to donations from bishops and princes grateful for our work in favor of their faithful and subjects travelling to Rome.
Regina/ How does the modern-day organization continue to fulfill St. Philip Neri’s mission?
Fabrizio: We are trying to restore the Archconfraternity’s devotions and practices according to today’s situation. We meet on the First Sunday of every month to collect food and donations for the poor and for a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration. Periodically, we organize a reception for the poor, with a full meal and even live baroque music played by our choir master! Every Year we start Lent with the Forty Hours where we take turns to make sure at least one brother or sister is always present before the Blessed Sacrament. We assist our priests in making the liturgies of SS. Trinità as reverent as possible. The love of God must be visible in all we do, as St. Philip insisted, which is why he wanted a red habit for us, meaning the fire of Charity and the readiness to die for Our Lord Jesus Christ. Also very important is the traditional Corpus Christi procession along the streets of our neighborhood.
Regina/ I know that you participate in many liturgical events throughout the year. Do you collaborate with other confraternities?
Fabrizio: Absolutely. We meet regularly with other confraternities to discuss, plan and participate in initiatives throughout the year. We also take part in the meetings and activities scheduled by the Vicariate of Rome.
Regina/ Tell us about the daily expectations for prayer of the members?
Fabrizio: Every day we are expected to pray three times an Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Glory be to 1) thank God the Father for creating us, for having been baptized and for having been accepted as members of the Archconfraternity 2) to ask Our Lord Jesus Christ for strength and perseverance in the works of charity, for the exaltation of Holy Mother Church and the protection of the Roman Pontiff 3) to ask the Holy Spirit that all sinners convert. Also, we have to say an Eternal rest for the confreres and the benefactors departed.
Regina/ In recent years, the Archconfraternity has really grown in numbers. What do you think accounts for this rather dramatic interest in the work of the Confraternity?
Fabrizio: We have over 120 members now, quite a few of them living abroad. I must credit the excellent work of the Parish entrusted to the Fraternity of St. Peter and our connection with the traditional liturgy for the growing interest in joining us. We are now even receiving requests of affiliation from groups abroad! I also believe that seeing a commitment to prayer and charity is effective in generating a desire to do the same. Our hope is that more will be inspired to live in the spirit of St. Philip. We must be exemplary in that if we are to re-evangelize the world we were called to live in.
Regina/ Is there anything else that you would like us to know about this wonderful organization?
Fabrizio: For the coming Jubilee we will renew the old tradition of washing the feet of the pilgrims that will come to our church. We are deeply tied to that act of humility taught by Jesus and which St. Philip inculcated in the brothers. We repeat it solemnly every year on Maundy Thursday when our Primicerius washes the feet of the brothers. While we lack the material means the Archconfraternity used to have in the past, we can still aim at what they aimed: personal sanctification through what little we can do here and now. We won’t be able to help thousands of pilgrims and poor people every day as they were, but we can help some. We can set an example of Eucharistic piety. And we can be simple, joyful but firm in the purity of faith and worship just as St. Philip and the brothers of old were. Then Our Lord will multiply the fish and loaves, however daunting the task may appear to human eyes of the XXI century.