22 APRIL - MARY, MOTHER OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS

 St Ignatius’s heritage sparked his devotion to Our Mother which intensified during his period of convalescence following the injury he received during the battle at Pamplona. 

    Major events in his life occurred on feasts or at sites honoring the Virgin. This feast thus commemorates the birth of the vowed Society and its dedication to Mary as its Mother. 

    The first Church that the Jesuits acquired was a small Chapel, Our Mother of the Way (Santa Maria della Strada). The painting would come to express the essence of Jesuit spirituality.

    The Chapel dated back at least to the 11th century and for a while it served as a funeral Chapel for the Astalli family who owned properties. In November 1540, Codacio, 

    the first Italian Jesuit, was able to use his influence in the papal court to obtain what Ignatius really wanted: the title to the tiny Church of S. Maria della Strada. 

    Early in 1541, the Roman Jesuits moved into rooms rented from the Astalli family right next to the Chapel. When Ignatius died in 1556, the new Church was still on the drawing board. 

    Through the influence of Francis Borgia, the third Superior General and the patronage of the rich Farnese family, the Church was almost completed in time for the Holy Year 1575. 

    During the construction, the image of Santa Maria della Strada was kept in the neighboring Church of San Marco. Later, it was installed in a place of honor in the Gesu, 

    where it can be seen today. As an Order dedicated to bringing the Gospel to every corner of the world, Our Mother of the Way was a highly appropriate Patron.




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