Priscilla Catacomb: The Oldest Image of Our Lady

In the **Catacomb of Priscilla**, carved into the Via Salaria in Rome, is found the **earliest known image of Our Lady**. The frescoes, dating from the 3rd century—and with faith in Mary’s privileges already inscribed on the walls as early as the 2nd century—make this cemetery a precious witness: devotion to the Mother of the Lord is as ancient as the Church itself.

## What is the Catacomb of Priscilla?

It is one of the most important underground cemeteries of primitive Christianity, located on the Via Salaria in Rome. Due to the richness and antiquity of its paintings, it has been called **Regina Catacumbarum**, the “Queen of the Catacombs.” There, the earliest Christians buried their dead and left images of their faith—including some of the first representations of the Virgin Mary.

## The Earliest Image of Mary

In what is known as the “Cubicle of the Veiled Woman,” a fresco from the late 2nd or early 3rd century depicts **Mary with the Child in her arms**, next to a male figure pointing at a star—usually identified as a prophet (either Balaam or Isaiah), who announced the star born of Jacob and the “Emanuel” born of a virgin. This is the earliest known Marian image that has survived, predating Christianization of the Empire.

## The Context: Death, Baptism, and Resurrection

These images emerge in a **funeral context**, which holds theological significance. They refer to the **source of baptism** and the **Lord’s Eucharist**, i.e., the first and primary prophecy fulfilled in Christ: the **resurrection of the dead** (cf. 1 Cor 15:3-4). Representing Mary with her Son, alongside tombs, was a confession of hope for new life from Christ, born of her.

## The Prudence of Early Church

Similarly, during this period, the cross was rarely depicted openly—instead expressed through symbolic signs like an anchor—and the cult of the Most Holy Virgin was not made overly evident. This was a pastoral prudence: it avoided misinterpreting those truths by newly initiated catechumens. The image conveyed much to those already possessed of faith; it remained discreet for those still in preparation.

## Mariological Significance

The Catacomb of Priscilla refutes the idea that Marian devotion is a late invention. On the contrary, Christians in Rome were painting the Mother of God on the walls where they deposited their hope in resurrection as early as before significant conciliar definitions. Archaeology confirms, in stone and color, what Tradition has always affirmed.

## See Also

Dive deeper into this topic by exploring all our articles in the **Marian Iconography** archive at locusmariologicus.org.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Where is the Catacomb of Priscilla located?

On the Via Salaria in Rome. It’s a Christian cemetery from the early centuries, known as **Regina Catacumbarum**.

### Why is the Catacomb of Priscilla important for Mariology?

Because it houses the earliest known image of Our Lady (3rd century), testifying to the antiquity of Marian devotion.

### What is the oldest image of Mary?

The fresco of the Virgin with the Child and the prophet pointing at a star in the Catacomb of Priscilla, from the late 2nd/early 3rd century.

Text by the Locus Mariologicus Institute, founded in Rome. Scientific direction by Prof. Dr. Daniel Cerqueira Afonso (PhD, Marianum).

## See Also

– **Recognized Marian Apparitions**
– **Immaculate Conception**