Santa Lucia del Gonfalone

List of Cardinal Protectors

Archconfraternity of the Gonfalone

The Archconfraternity of the Gonfalone was a group of white penitents (due to the colour of their robe) that were headquartered in the church. They were established in 1264 at Rome. St. Bonaventure, at that time Inquisitor-general of the Holy Office, prescribed the rules, and the white habit, with the name Recommendati B. V.

This confraternity was erected in the Church of St. Mary Major by Pope Clement IV in 1265. The Confraternity subsumed four Confraternities that had been erected in Santa Maria in Aracoeli. It was raised to the rank of an archconfraternity, to which the rest were aggregated. The title of gonfalone, or standard-bearer, was acquired when the members elected a governor of Rome to represent the Avignon based Pope despite the violent opposition of aristocratic Roman families.

Many privileges and churches were granted to this confraternity by succeeding pontiffs, the headquarters now being the church of Santa Lucia del Gonfalone. The obligations of the members are to care for the sick, bury the dead, provide medical service for those unable to afford it, and give dowries to poor girls. What distinguishes these White Penitents from those other confraternities is the circle on the shoulder of the habit, within a cross of red and white.

The last reconstruction was by Marco David in 1764; the interior was frescoed by Francesco Azzurri in 1866. The church was made a cardinalate deaconry by Pope John Paul II on 21 October 2003.