All about Mary.

"True effigy of a miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin found in Rome by V.P. Dominique de Jesus Maria, General of the Discalced Carmelites, in a pile of garbage. After retrieving and cleaning it, the Virgin inclined her head to him as a sign of recognition, telling him that all those who would have a sincere devotion to this image would be rewarded by Heaven with particular graces and privileges. If they offer their prayers for the souls in purgatory, she will effectively employ her power for their deliverance."

- An 18th century engraving by Cornelius de Boudt of Our Lady of the Bowed Head

Jesus and Mary, or emporer Nero as a child with his mother Julia Agrippina? That's what the faithful wondered when this statue of the Madonna was revealed in Rome's church of Sant'Agostino in 1516.

For centuries the statue was pretty much neglected by the faithful, who preferred to pray to Mary before effigies with a sweeter appearance. The fate of the statue changed however in the 19th century, when this particular Madonna was believed to have assisted a woman during a difficult childbirth. This news spread in Rome, and up to this day expecting parents come to pray to the Madonna for a safe delivery. She is now known as the Madonna del Parto, or Our Lady of Childbirth.

In 1822 Pope Pius VII granted an indulgence to anyone who devoutly kissed the Madonna's left foot. This became such a popular devotion that the marble foot soon had to be replaced by a silver one.

Our Lady of Lourdes, health of the sick, pray for us!

Madonna del Miracolo

A painting of the apparition of Mary to Alphonse Ratisbonne, a French Jew visiting Rome in 1842. He was a member of a banking family, closely related to the Rothschild family. After the apparition he converted to Catholicism and became a Jesuit priest.

The ancient icon of the Salus Populi Romani, Health of the Roman People, in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.

The icon is traditionally venerated by the Roman people in times of plagues and epidemics, as pope Francis did just yesterday in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pope Francis praying before the icon of Mary as the Salus Populi Romani (Health of the Roman People) in the basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome yesterday.

The pope made a pilgrimage to the church to pray for the well-being of those affected by the Coronavirus worldwide.

Blessed be your glorious Assumption, Most Holy Queen of Heaven!

Maria Avvocata Nostra

The miraculous image of Mary Our Advocate in Vicovaro, Rome.

A holy card of the ancient image of the Madonna di San Luca in Rome.

A Roman street shrine for Mary.

Sancta Maria, Causa Nostrae Laetitiae

A copy of the miraculous image of Our Lady Cause of Our Joy, venerated in the oratory of the Madonna dell'Archetto, Rome’s smallest church.

Santo Bambino in Santa Maria in Aracoeli

Happy Christmas to all followers of All about Mary.

The photo is taken in the chapel of the Santo Bambino, the “Holy Boy”, in the basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli in Rome. The statue is the object of special devotion during Christmastide, while all year round people from all over the world send letters of petition and thanks to the Divine Infant. These letters are then placed before the statue on the altar.

You are all beautiful, Mary, and the original stain is not in you. You are the glory of Jerusalem, you are the joy of Israel, you give honour to our people!

Salus Populi Romani Sancta Maria ad Nives Roma - Basilica S. Maria Maggiore

Our Lady of Loreto in the church of San Salvatore in Lauro, Rome.

S. Maria delle Grazie

The miraculous image of Our Lady of Grace in the church of Santa Maria della Consolazione in Rome.