This pilgrimage route allows pilgrims and tourists to discover more about European female saints, in particular, those who have been proclaimed by the Church as Patronesses of Europe and Doctors of the Church.
Several significant churches have been chosen to recall these holy women, either because of the link with the name of the church itself, such as in the case of Saint Bridget’s church in Campo de’ Fiori, or because of the presence of the relics of a female saint kept within the church, such as in Santa Maria Sopra Minerva which contains the body of Saint Catherine of Siena.
The church of Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza, is included due to the history of the Roman university of La Sapienza and links with the university life of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, a philosopher and martyr. The church of the patron saint of musicians Santa Cecilia in Trastevere is included as a reminder of the figure of Hildegard of Bingen, who among her many artistic achievements, was also a great lover of music. The church of Trinità dei Monti is a reminder of the figure of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (the ‘Little Flower’) due to the church’s historic links to France. Finally, Santa Maria della Vittoria, is included as it contains containing Bernini’s Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, which powerfully illustrates the figure of Saint Teresa of Avila.
Below is a list of churches with saints linked to them.
