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Salus Populi Romani

  • Writer: Madeline
    Madeline
  • Aug 4
  • 7 min read

Updated: Aug 10

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Salus Populi Romani, Unknown Artist and Date. Pauline Chapel, Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Rome, Italy.


Questions


-Do you like icons and this style of art? Why or why not?

-How are Mary and Jesus interacting?

-Why is it important that Rome is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, specifically this icon?


Reflection


You may have only known this painting existed because of Pope Francis' deep devotion to it, which is reflected by how he chose to be buried in St. Mary Major close to the chapel where this painting resides. Or this might look completely unknown to you, which I do not blame you. I never realized its significance, history and beauty until after Pope Francis' passing. August 5th is the feast day celebrating the dedication of Saint Mary Major, which is the largest church in the world dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. I wanted to reflect on this painting because of its importance in Saint Mary Major and its connection to us all as faithful Catholics.


Salus Populi Romani means "Protectress of the Roman People". If she just protects the Roman people, then why should this image matter to the rest of us in this world? Because in a very real sense, we are special partakers in being part of the Roman people. It is in Rome where Saint Peter's is, the home of our faith. It is in Rome that so many saints traveled to, lived in, and died. It is in Rome (literally and metaphorically) that Vatican City exists and where the head of our Church, the pope, lives. If you have ever been to Rome, you know its spiritual power and impact. When you travel there, you know you belong in the Catholic Church and that you are home. Being in Rome makes you feel like a Roman, and therefore protected by Our Lady in a particular way. It is where we should hold particular reverence to the power that Mary has in our lives and in our faith.


Mary is the most important person to Jesus as His Mother, so she should be important to us too. My faith was radically deepened and changed when I became more dedicated to Our Lady, specifically through praying the rosary. I love the phrase "To Jesus through Mary" because that is the entirety of Mary's mission and work. She wants to bring us to her Immaculate Heart so that we can more easily access, see, and be united with her Son's Sacred Heart. Their mission is one in the same. This icon is beautiful in the way that Jesus is gazing upwards at His mother. He knows that her will is united with God's and that He can trust her with anything and everything. We are her children too and can trust Mary in the same way that Jesus does. When we look to Mary for help, guidance, comfort, and love she will give us more than we can ask for or imagine.


Jesus is holding what can be interpreted either as the Book of Life or the book of Gospels while his other hand is in a position of blessing. Either hold moments for reflection and a slightly different meaning for us. The Book of Life is the book that holds all the names of those who are or will be united with God in heaven. If he is holding the Book of Life, it is as if He is looking to His Mother to bring those souls to Him. Mary is always on mission for her Son and wants nothing more than to save souls to join them in heaven. Jesus is blessing His Mother with the perfection of ability to bring souls to Him because He loves her so deeply and wants to share His mission completely with her. If he is holding the book of Gospels, it could be a nod to how it was through Mary's immaculate womb that all that is written had come to be. She allowed for Jesus to be conceived in her and born through her, giving Him as a gift to the entire world. Her sacrificial gift of her Son is a blessing not just on her life, but on the entirety of the human race. She glances away from her Son, whether in humility or in gazing upon the lives that she will partake in saving. No matter the explanation or description, the love that Christ has for His Mother is apparent. He welcomes us to treat her just the same, being protected in her arms and under her mantle.


In this type of icon, Mary usually has a hand out offering Jesus to the world and praise to God for her Son. This one differs, as Mary's hands are crossed with one holding onto something and the other looks like in a symbol of blessing. Mary's hand in a position of blessing is interesting because it is not out towards us in something that she imparts on us, instead it is faced towards Jesus. Jesus Christ is the biggest blessing that was given to her as a particular gift for her to experience and hold. The cloth she holds is thought to be a symbol of power that those in the highest offices of the Roman Empire held. This shows that she is the Queen of Heaven and holds the highest position and rights. This title is only brought about by her being the Mother of God, which only happened when she was blessed with Jesus Christ. If you are a parent, it can be easy to forget what a blessing and miracle your children are to you. Mary never forgot the blessing that Jesus Christ was and how it was through Him and by Him that her fulfillment, mission, and unification with God came. Our children are sent to us to purify us and bring us closer to God in very particular ways, along with also bringing their gifts and blessing to the entire world. Jesus was a perfect Son, bringing His earthly parents holiness and glory in Heaven as well as unifying the whole world to His Heavenly Father.


Information


This icon is thought to have been painted by Saint Luke the Evangelist. Although Luke was not one of the original apostles of Jesus Christ, he was a close companion to Saint Paul and is mentioned in some of the letters. It was his relationship to Paul, the apostles, and the early Christian community that led him to being a prolific writer and artist of Jesus and Mary. This is reflected in his Gospel being one of the four that we know today. It is also thought that he wrote the Acts of the Apostles, which shows how the Christian Church grew in holiness, number, and expansion after the death of Christ. If we think of the Gospel of Luke, this is the book that highlights more aspects of the women that followed Jesus Christ. Luke I can confidently say is my favorite of the four Gospels for this fact. Being able to read Jesus' interactions with women and the difference between men and women in following Christ is so important. Luke highlights the importance that women had in the ministry of Jesus and also their integral part to evangelizing the world. Women may not have had a place of honor in society at the time, but they had a place of honor in Christ's heart, ministry, and Church.


Saint Luke is also thought to be the founder of Christian iconography and a gifted painter, especially of Our Lady. It makes sense, with his respect and awareness of the importance of women, that he would focus on bringing devotion and reverence to Mary during this time. It was a special grace that the apostles and followers of Christ knew the importance of Mary. What profound insight they had when Jesus on the cross gave Mary to John as a mother, not just of him to take care of, but of the whole Church. Saint Luke is considered the patron saint of painters and what better of place to have his work displayed then at the Basilica that honors Our Lady in a magnificent and special way.


Popes for centuries have had a special devotion to this image of Our Lady and in recent history, we have seen the importance of it to the late Pope Francis. He would visit the image before and after every apostolic journey, entrusting the journey to her protection. This came from a personal love of the icon but also a continuation of the Jesuit tradition of being particularly devoted to this image. Mary as the Mother of the Church will always protect us underneath her mantle. She is the best evangelizer because she cannot help but bring everything to her Son's most Sacred Heart and to the feet of the throne of God. The popes as the successor of Saint Peter follow in the footsteps of Peter but also of Jesus Christ. Jesus had the highest honor and love of His mother and He desires her to be loved, revered, and praised by the whole world. This only lifts up praise and true worship of God, who is glorified by those united with Him.


More Questions


-If you have children, in what ways do they purify you and bring you closer to the Lord? If you do not have children, reflect on the particular way you (and your siblings) have brought your parents closer to God or how you wish to.

-What is your relationship to your earthly mother? How does this affect how you see and interact with Mary?

-What Gospel do you enjoy the most? Why?


Let us pray -


Lord, thank you for the protection that your Mother gives us. May we hide under her mantle with you, being protected through her motherly love and unification with God. Grow our devotion to Our Blessed Mother that it may reflect a sliver of your love for her. Lead us to her Immaculate Heart so that we may more quickly be united to you.


Our Blessed Mother, pray for us!

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