Museum of the Confraternity of St. Joseph, Monopoli

Research, study, and cataloging of objects from the past are fundamental elements for enhancing our historical-artistic heritage. This is the purpose of the project initiated by Don Michele Lorusso, then parish priest of the church of Santa Teresa and Spiritual Director of the Confraternity of Saint Joseph.

The activity, which began in 1992, led to the creation of a true museum along the matronea of the cloistered Benedictine nuns where reliquaries, missals, precious fabrics, liturgical objects can be admired, in the same places where they were used. A crucifix from the second half of the nineteenth century, made of wood with the statue of Christ in papier-mâché, was used in processions during funerals.

Also made of carved and gilded wood is a crown that was once placed on the Eucharistic tabernacle, from which hung the canopy cloth with different colors and fabrics depending on the liturgical period. A pink wooden sarcophagus with floral motifs and elements of the funeral liturgy dates back to the early twentieth century, as evidenced by the inscription on the opening door: “Loprieno and Lanave carvers and gilders. Bari-1908”.

This was used during funeral ceremonies to temporarily house the simple coffins of humble people. From the second half of the eighteenth century comes a wooden box reliquary decorated with floral motifs and glass to observe and venerate the contained relics.

The statue of Saint Philomena lying on red cushions and golden lace appears very beautiful. The case with the Saint was transferred from the chapel of Saint Joseph to the confraternity’s museum by the will of Don Michele Lorusso since the cult of the Saint was not recognized by the Catholic Church.

Finally, we recall two paintings depicting the Sorrowful Mother and Saint Francis of Paola, both belonging to the first half of the twentieth century.”