ROCCAMORICE
(Pg. 13)
La Rocca Pg. 13  (San Donato Church)
La Rocca Pg. 14 (people / places)
La Rocca Pg. 15 (people / places)
La Rocca Pg. 16 (people / places)
La Rocca Pg. 17 (places to stay / eat)
La Rocca Pg. 18 (Asphalt Mines)
La Rocca Pg. 19 (Asphalt MInes)
La Rocca Pg. 20 (Churches)
La Rocca Pg. 21 (Churches)
La Rocca Pg. 22 (people / places)
La Rocca pg. 23 (people / places)
La Rocca Pg. 24 (people / places)
La Rocca Pg. 1 (history/photos)
La Rocca Pg. 2 (Santo Spirito)
La Rocca Pg. 3 (San Bartolomeo)
La Rocca Pg. 4 (photos)
La Rocca Pg. 5 (photos)
La Rocca Pg. 6 (photos)
La Rocca Pg. 7 (festa)
La Rocca Pg. 8 (the old ways)
La Rocca Pg. 9 (the old ways)
La Rocca Pg. 10 ("Lu Sand'Andune")
La Rocca Pg. 11 (La Rocca's Sand'Andune)
La Rocca Pg. 12 (Don Donato Bianco)
SAN DONATO CHURCH
 
(Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Donato)
**Most of the information on the Church of San Donato was taken from a book entitled "Pietro Celestino -Eremita in Santo Spirito A Maiella", written by Donato DiPronio, Via Ruggieri 4,  Roccamorice. We extend our gratitude to him for letting us use his material.
**Most pictures on this page are courtesy of Blaise DiPronio, taken in January 2001.
San Donato, patron Saint of Roccamorice
San Donato Church
The first authentic reference to the Church of San Donato was in the 13th century when it was mentioned in a register of the Vallebona Monastery in 1298. Also in 1288 a notarial deed concerning the election of the first Abbott General of the monastic order of Santo Spirito alla Maiella, founded by brother Pietro del Morrone, was witnessed by Don Tommasso and Don Pietro, both of Roccamorice.

Much later a reference was made by Serafino Razzi, a dominican monk, in the book "Travel in Abruzzo," which tells of celebrating mass in Roccamorice in 1577.

The structure of the church in the 18th century was described as follows:  64 palms in length and 64 palms in width; 5 windows in good condition and one door facing north.

In 1910 the building was demolished and a new church reconstructed on the same foundation over a period of 2 years.  During repairs, religious functions were carried out in the Church of Annunziata ( Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata)
The late priest Don Luigi D'Aurizio (1906-1920, nickname: Falconetto) transformed the interior. Local children were used as models for all the angels depicted in the church.

Angiolina DiFlorio, furure wife of Salvatore Rosati , modelled specifically for the Altar of the Sacred Heart.

Don Luigi  and his successors as well as  the Franciscan Sisters of the Baby Jesus were instrumental in developing a kindergarten/day care center and the inception of a future nursing/ old age home which was developed through the generosity of a former Roccolan- Donato DiPierdomenico (Dane Barse) who had made his fortune in the United Sates. To read more about Dane Barse, click here
Altar of the Sacred Heart (L'altare del Sacro Cuore)
Original altar
Old confessional which is no longer used.
Bell Tower (Campanile)
Madonna Di San Luca. Anyone who has seen this painting will notice how the eyes follow you around from any direction.
New altar in front of the old one.
Don Federico Molisani (1923-27) moved the sacristy from under the bell tower to where it is now.

Don Amadeo Busetto (1936-39) constructed the rectory (casa canonica) for himself and future priests to live in.

Don Carlo Michelli (1952-61) decorated the interior of the church.

Don Donato Bianco became priest in 1962, had the roof re-done in 1997 and also had the exterior walls replastered.  New windows were made possible in 1998 by contributions from private individuals and other Roccolani around the world. Don Donato Bianco passed away Sept.8,2000. To read more about Don Donato, click here
Madonna of the Sorrows Altar. She is paraded in procession during Holy Week.
Crucifix from the 13th century ; brought by Pietro del Morrone  from the Abbey of San Liberatore a Maiella, Serramonacesca to Santo Spirito and then to San Donato Church.
Sant'Antonio di Padua statue and altar.
Sant'Emidio
Pulpit from which the priest preaches during mass
Baptismal font (Fonte Battesimale)
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