Tucked along a Roman street leading to Piazza Barberini, is the church of Saints Ildephonsus and Thomas of Villanova, and hidden inside is what many consider to be the first painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe to reach Rome.
FR. JAVIER MONROY
Rector, Prior of Augustinian Recollects
This painting is very important for Rome, for the Augustinian recollects, for the history of art in general, because it is the first painting of the event of Guadalupe that reaches Rome. This painting came here in the hands of an Augustinian recollect in 1672.
This particular canvas, painted by Mexican artist Juan Correa, is significant in that it is not merely a reproduction, but rather tells the story of Guadalupe—when Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego who is depicted holding cloak as roses fall from it.
In the chapel that holds the painting, other works by the same artists depict other Marian apparitions to Juan Diego.
FR. JAVIER MONROY
Rector, Prior of Augustinian Recollects
The important thing is that it is the first that comes to Rome, because there are others, though not exactly paintings of the event in which St. Juan Diego appears, but rather the ones we usually see: images of Our Lady of Guadalupe. But the others are from a century later, 1750, 1760, 1770. We are proud to say we have this painting which represents the faith from the first century from the events of Guadalupe and that we already had it in Rome.
Pope Francis has spoken on numerous occasions of his devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Each 12th of December he celebrates a Mass in honor of this Marian devotion.
FR. JAVIER MONROY
Rector, Prior of Augustinian Recollects
These gestures the Pope makes toward Our Lady are impressive, but especially when the Pope speaks in particular about a special devotion, well it fills us with much pride, it fills us with joy and above all it makes it so that our faith is much more united with the head of the Church, who is the Pope.
The Augustinian Recollects have been in charge of preserving this iconic image of Mary since it reached their community in the old continent, and which has been in Rome since 1619.
CA
TR: JM
