In the quiet hush of a second-century Roman catacomb at Priscilla—just a short descent beneath the bustling city streets—lies a wall painting that may hold a singular honor: the earliest known depiction of the Virgin Mary.
It’s not what most imagine when they think of Marian art. There is no halo, no blue mantle, no crown of glory, no angels in flight. Instead, we see a modest woman seated, holding a child close to her chest, possible breastfeeding him. Beside her stands a figure—perhaps the prophet Balaam—pointing upward toward a star.
Why did they paint Our Lady here?
Because she always draws near to the persecuted. And the Christians of this time (c. 230–240 A.D.) were indeed persecuted—Christianity was still illegal in the Roman Empire.
These early believers could not gather publicly for worship. Instead, they bravely celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in these underground catacombs. In the absence of public churches, the very walls became their homilies.
And in the dim light of flickering oil lamps, they found consolation in Our Lady. They dared to paint her image—simple, tender, and deeply reverent—as a sign of comfort and hope for others who would come after them.
Even then, in the earliest days of Christianity and amidst raging persecution, the Church held Mary close.
Beneath her image is her earliest known title. Here, she is not yet Queen, Advocate, or Star of the Sea. She is simply Mother—of Christ, and by extension, of the Church.
Honor her beautiful titles, ancient and new. Bring the story full circle with our Titles of Our Lady Art Plaque, a stunning tribute to the countless ways the Church has named and loved the Mother of God.
Shop the plaque here.
Let the earliest Christians remind you: she has always been with us.
