* February 27 – Our Lady of the Road (Italy, 1617) – Blessed Marie of Jesus (Marie Deluil-Martiny), foundress of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Heart of Jesus (d. 1884)  * The first Jesuits prayed in front of this fresco  --- An initiative of the Mary of Nazareth Association February 27 – Our Lady of the Road (Italy, 1617) – Blessed Marie of Jesus (Marie Deluil-Martiny), foundress of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Heart of Jesus (d. 1884)  The first Jesuits prayed in front of this fresco  Madonna Della Strada — the Italian for  “Our Lady of the Road” — is the name of an image of the  Madonna and Child enshrined at the Church of the Gesu, mother church of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in Rome. In all likelihood, the image of Our Lady of the Road dates from the middle of the 13th or the first half of the 14th century. The artist is unknown. It was originally located in a small chapel named "Our Lady of the Road" at the same location. This chapel was the first church entrusted to the Jesuits at the time of Saint Ignatius. The first Jesuits often prayed before this fresco of Our Lady. The Jesuits built their first house, where Ignatius and his companions lodged, next to the chapel of "Our Lady of the Road." Today, you can still visit the rooms inhabited by Saint Ignatius. This is where the saint wrote the Constitutions of the Society. www.jesuites.com Church of the Gesù Chiesa del Santissimo Nome di Gesù all'Argentina Giacomo della Porta's façade, a precursor of the Baroque www.mariedenazareth.com Ignatius Loyola (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Let’s pray together  Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.