Trintà dei Monti (Photo: Newscom / Copley News Service)

The general instructions for finding and getting to the Mater fresco are as follows:

The Trinità dei Monti (Piazza della Trinità dei Monti, 3) , where the fresco is located, is at the top of the so-called "Spanish Stairs" off the Piazza di Spagna. You can either climb the stairs or take the elevator to the top. (The elevator is located inside the entrance to the Metro in the little side street to the left as you face the stairs. Go in the door on the right as you enter the Metro station and it leads to the elevator.) Or, if you are at Piazza Barberini, you can walk the three blocks up the Via Sistina until you reach the Trinità. (The building is currently undergoing repairs and is shrouded in scaffolding that is hidden behind a cloth covering on which is painted the image of the building itself and some advertising on the church.)

The entrance to the convent is directly across the street from the large "M" that indicates the Metro stop. Important: Do not take either of the two staircases that lead to the church, as neither will take you to the convent. You can visit the church later.

Once you get to the top of the convent entrance stairs, ring the bell and tell the person at the door that you are an alumna/nus of a Sacred Heart school, or a friend of the Society of the Sacred Heart, and wish to see Mater. The person at the door will indicate that you should go out into the cloister and take the first door to the left that leads to the staircase. Mater’s chapel is at the top of the staircase.

It is best to avoid visits between 1 and 2 p.m., but other than that, the chapel should be open to visitors daily between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. One may purchase cards and photographs of Mater at the front door. If you would like larger cards than those that are visible, just ask.

Please remember to sign the guest book just outside the chapel.