Our Lady of the Road, patron saint of the Jesuits

Our Lady of the Road (in Italian 'Madonna della Strada') is a fresco of the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus visible in the Church of the Gesù in Rome, venerated since the early 15th century.

Pietro Codacio had been a priest for seven years when he was admitted to the Society of Jesus in 1539. Among the possessions he had to renounce because of his vow of poverty was the church of Santa Maria della Strada, with its revenues.

When the church was demolished to be replaced with the imposing church of the Gesù, whose construction began in 1568, the image of Our Lady of the Road was transferred to the side chapel to the left of the main altar dedicated to the "Most Holy Name of Jesus".

The image of Our Lady of the Road has always been held in great veneration by the Jesuits, who made her their patron saint and often invoke her when traveling.

Adapted and translated from:

https://www.facebook.com/Jackyada09/posts/2271004043175742/