The title Madonna of the Street can be traced all the way back to a 5th century shrine in Rome. In the 16th century, this title was adopted as the patroness of St. Ignatius’s Jesuit order, whose mother church was built on the site of the former church Santa Maria della Strada, “St. Mary of the Good Road”.
The depiction usually associated with Madonna of the Street, however, is based off of a painting known as La Madonnina (“Little Mother”) painted by Italian artist Roberto Ferruzzi around 1890. Despite becoming a well known depiction of Our Lady, the original painting was not intended to be so. The original painting is actually a portrait of a young, poverty–stricken girl tenderly holding her baby brother, much like a “little mother”. Many saw the similarities between La Madonnina and the Madonna and Child, as well as the motherly love portrayed in the image, and instantly connected it to the Holy Mother. The image was loved by many Catholic Italians, and was eventually brought to America by immigrants. As of today, the whereabouts of the original painting are unknown.
Prayer to Our Lady of the Way
Our Lady of the Way, stay with us when we grow weary of the journey; for the road is long and our hearts are weak. Strengthen us with the patience and fortitude to continue on in pursuit of a whole and just world; in pursuit of a whole and just self. Come, be our guide.
Our Lady of the Way, lead us when we cannot see the path. Take us by the hand as a Mother; whispering comfort in our ears, steering us through the dark, guarding us from the terrors of the night. Infuse us with your courage, with your refusal to bow to fear and the unknown. For in you we find the Light that moves us forward.
Our Lady of the Way, show us the mystery you revealed to Ignatius so many years past: the mystery of letting go. That we would not cling to our packs nor our sandals nor our cloaks but release to the path what the path requires. Because for all that we lay down, we pick up something greater; we pick up freedom.
Our Lady of the Way, show us the way. Amen.
