Convents + Churches as lodging

Suggest you go to www.santasusanna.org, the website of the american catholic parish in Rome, click on "coming to Rome," and a list will pop-up. We have stayed several times at Santa Maria Alle Fornachi which is very near the Vatican; also stayed at Casa La Salle, which is further from the attractions, however about 5 minutes from the metro. Both have very nice breakfasts and basic rooms.
Good hunting!

I had a really good experience with the convent of the sisters of St Bridget, about 1/2 block away from Santa Maria Maggiore. I don't have their Italian name, but they are recommended in the RS guide. FYI, no English spoken. I've also had a good experience at the monastery of San Gregorio Magno de Celio. This one is less personal and is a community of men; you are unlikely to see the monks, unless you go to liturgy. Again, little/no English spoken. It's right by the Circus Maximus, on a side road behind the Coliseum... if that area is more suited to your needs.

THANK YOU! so much for the help..

Jane, another company is Monastery Stays. Last summer I stayed at a convent a few blocks from the Colosseum, Santa Anna's (Casa di Procura, Suore Catechiste di Sant'Anna on Piazza Madonna dei Monti). There are lots of convent/monastery lodgings on the Aventine hill as well. At Santa Anna's, at least a few of the sisters spoke English and knew the area very well. Simple, clean, inexpensive rooms (ask for a room at the back, the front is on a small piazza).