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Parish Church of the Holy Guardian Angels in Borgo San Pietro: over 240 years of faith
The Santi Angeli Custodi parish church is located in Borgo San Pietro di Poggio Bustone, in the Montepiano area near Rieti. It was established in 1780 as a rural chapel, built at the initiative of the Capuchin Friar Felice da Poggio Bustone, with the support of the local community, Pope Pius VI, and Monsignor Cioja. The parish was canonically established only on September 1, 1986.
From country chapel to parish church
Friar Felice wanted to provide a point of reference for the community scattered across the small hamlets below Poggio Bustone. The chapel was blessed in 1781 by the Bishop of Rieti, Monsignor Marini, and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Graces and St Peter the Apostle. It kept that role until August 1, 1959, when it was legally constituted as a parish under the title of Holy Guardian Angels — whose feast day falls on October 2.
Two earthquakes, two rebirths
The church had to contend with two earthquakes. The first struck in 1979, causing severe damage. It was reopened only on April 14, 1988. The second hit in 2016 — the Accumoli and Amatrice earthquake. Four years of closure followed, during which the friars of the nearby Franciscan sanctuary hosted the liturgical celebrations, while parishioners kept the church pews in their homes. In July 2020 the church reopened, with the roof rebuilt, steel tie rods, and a reinforced bell tower. On that occasion, a stained-glass window by Angelo Giordani was added, portraying the Holy Spirit as a dove.
