Immacolata Concezione Santi Francesco e Chiara
The church of SS. Concezione, to which a Franciscan convent is attached, is a Catholic place of worship located in Corso Caudino, 33 in Airola, in the province of Benevento. In 1712, after careful consideration, Fr. Antonio Caracciolo asked the Alcantarini Fathers of the province of Naples to found a convent in Airola. The Definitorial Congress of the Neapolitan Alcantarina Province, on June 20, 1712 accepted the request, offering its apostolic activity by helping souls with confessions and assistance to the dying and keeping the peace.
Other local religious orders were in favor of the foundation. Bishop Albini obtained in 1713 the decree for the erection of the convent, confirmed in 1722 with the right to lay the first stone and to introduce the Alcantarini Fathers.
Led by a pioneer of the movement, the M.R. Father Innocenzo Russo, later appointed Bishop of Bovino, the seraphic college of Airola deserved a place of honor among the seraphic colleges of Italy for its healthy modern approach, while respecting the past and in the wake of traditional Franciscan spirituality.
Throughout the gradual development of the college, larger cells and more classrooms were required, therefore, a new floor was built on the old convent, blessed in 1935 by the Most Reverend Father Leonardo M. Bello, Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor. In 1942 the Convent of the SS. Concezione di Airola passed to the Province of the Friars Minor of Sannio and Irpinia.
The life of the seraphic college continued uninterrupted until November 1943, with a brief pause that lasted until November 1945. From November 1945 the life of the seraphic college resumed in full swing, welcoming fraternities of alumni.
Immacolata Concezione con San Francesco e Santa Chiara
The fresco depicts the Immaculate Conception with Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, who venerate her. The advocation of the Immaculate Conception refers to the Catholic doctrine that the Virgin Mary, mother of Christ, was herself born without sin. Following traditional iconography, Castiglione depicted her as Queen of Heaven, accompanied by angels and standing on a crescent moon, a symbol of chastity. The doctrine, much debated, was supported by the Franciscan order of monks. Hence, the presence of two Franciscan saints—Francis of Assisi on the left and Clare of Assisi on the right.
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