Cesare Baronio and the Archconfraternity SS Trinità dei Pellegrini

• In Event: Strategies for Protecting Catholic Practices and Culture

Abstract

It has been assumed that upon his arrival in Rome 1557, the then 19 year old law student from Sora and later Oratorian Cesare Baronio, who would even be created cardinal in 1596, had already established a profound connection with the early group gatherings around S. Filippo Neri and his Oratorio. However, Baronio’s own testimonies during the process of Neri’s canonisation, which already began in 1595 shortly after his death, as well as his letters written to his father and other writings reveal a vague relationship between the young law student and the group meetings at the Oratory as well as with Neri. It is thus the aim of the following paper to present an alternate view upon Baronio’s early years in Rome and to propose his initial connections to one of the city’s then most relevant confraternities, namely the SS. Trinità dei Pellegrini.

Author

• Filip Malesevic, University of Freiburg