Sacro Cuore di Gesù, Tolentino

The cult of the Holy Heart of Jesus was founded in the 18th century, inspired by the visions of St Maria Margherita Alacoque.

Domenico Spinucci (1777-1796), bishop of Tolentino, was intent on creating an altar for the veneration of the Sacro Cuore in every church of his diocese.

They instituted a ritual procession every Holy Friday, starting in the church of San Vito, similar to those held by medieval flagellants, dressed in sackcloth with hoods for anonymity.

The interiors were frescoed by Fontana, who also painted the main altarpiece depicting The Apparition of the Holy Heart to Santa Maria Alacoque.

The organ built from scratch using high quality nineteenth-century phonic materials, dominates the small choir with about 850 sound pipes and 16 royal registers.