This is the oldest icon of Mary in Rome, dating back to at least the 4th Century and perhaps a few centuries earlier than that. It is notable in that it is only Mary, without the Christ Child, and has become known as Advocata Nostra, Our Advocate. In Medieval times it was often attributed to St. Luke. It demonstrates the existence of Marian devotion in the Early Church.

On February 28, 1221, St. Dominic carried this icon in a procession to a new Dominican nuns' convent. The icon was Canonically crowned by the Pope in 1641. In 1931 the Dominican sisters moved to the Monastero di Santa Maria del Rosario, where the icon remains to this day.

It looks great in a gold frame! We offer two styles, the smaller one is a shiny metal gold, the larger is a matt finish resin with 5x7" opening and has a small white matt around the picture. Good for desks, shelves, tables, anywhere you'd like a beautiful reminder of Mary and our ancient devotion to her.

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Thank you for your interest in our Catholic art.

God bless!

Sue & John