Originally, the church on this spot was St. Tryphon (a 3rd century saint of the Greek Church - about whom we know practically nothing - thus, in the reforms of Vatican II, his cult was suppressed). However, in 1296 this area was given to the Augustinians who began construction on the current church - but left the church of St. Tryphon as an adjacent church - until it was was demolished in 1736 to make way for a new convent for the Augustinians. As happened with many church structures and buildings, in the second half of the 19th century, it was confiscated by the Italian government after the invasion of Rome in 1870.
The church - dating to medieval times, took nearly two centuries to build. The exterior facade, made from recycled travertine marble, thought to have been taken from the Colosseum, gives a wonderful example of Renaissance architecture. In fact, the entire church , which was renovated in the 1600's, is an excellent example of the churches of the Renaissance period. The pillars were covered in frescoes, the high altar a work of Bernini), there is a work by Caravaggio (Maddona dei Pellegrini) and another by Raphael (Isaiah). Overall, the church reminds us of the "new" intellectual ideas spreading throughout Europe during the time of the Renaissance.
Just inside the entrance to the church is a statue of the "Madonna del Parto" - Our Lady of Childbirth. It is said that many have experience miracles as a result of their prayers offered to God at this altar, through the intercession of the Blessed Mother. So very often you will find women (and men) gathered in prayer around this statue. In fact, so many have offered prayers and reached out to touch or kiss the foot of the statue of Mary, that her marble foot is nearly worn away.
Saint Augustine, as you know, is one of the Doctors of the Church - having written extensively. One of the things he often wrote about was the allegorical meaning of numbers. When building this church, they kept that in mind - so you need to pay attention to how they were used in this church: there are 12 arches, 12 side chapels, 12 windows (just as there are 12 tribes of Israel and 12 apostles). There are 12 spans across the side aisles and three across the center nave = making 15 total. When St. Augustine wrote, he said that the Old Testament was represented but he number 7 and the new by the number 8. Together they add up to the 15 represented here.
On the left side of the main altar there is a small chapel, and here are kept the relics of St. Monica - Augustine's mother. There is a wonderful account of the relationship between Augustine and Monica, his mother, in the Breviary - especially on her feast day (August 27). Of course it was the prayers of St. Monica which eventually opened the heart of her wayward son to leave his pleasure-seeking life and be baptized. As her life was coming to an end, the Office of Readings preserves the account of her last days. She spoke with Augustine about her indifference as to where she was to be buried: at her home in Hippo, Africa or here in Italy (they were preparing to leave the ancient port of Ostia to return to Africa when she fell sick). Monica is quoted as having said, "Nothing is distant from God, and there is no ground for fear that He may not acknowledge ma t the end of the world and raise me up." She then commented how it didn't matter where she was buried, so long as her son remembered her at the altar. Here in this chapel is the sarcophagus containing her relics.
As I mentioned, there is a painting here of Isaiah done by Raphael. There's a story that the donor felt he had been overcharged for the painting - so he wanted a second opinion and brought Michaelangelo in to see it. When Micahelango saw the painting he told the diner that the skill with which the prophet's knee alone had been depicted was worth the full price paid.
Being a Saturday, we might recall that the Church very often celebrates memorials to the Blessed Mother on Saturdays (although not during Lent). Isaiah reminds us of the many Old Testament prophecies about the birth of the Messiah - and Mary who, by her "fiat" was the vessel through whom God brought those prophecies to their fulfillment in giving birth to God incarnate. The work of Raphael - positioned as it is directly over a statue of St. Anne, Mary and Jesus - might bring this reality to mind - as the unity of human and divine work, through the Word of God written and incarnate, is beautifully representing in this masterpiece of art.
Perhaps, celebrating Mass in this church of St. Augustine - having visited the tomb of St. Monica, we call to mind that just as St. Monica aided her son to find Christ, so Mary - the Mother of God - aids us through her intercession so that, stained though we may be by our pilgrimage through life, we may be received into the presence of her Divine Son.
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