Cesare Mariani painted three frescoes: The Vision of St Bonaventure, Pope Sixtus V blesses the Redeemed Barbary Slaves, and The oath of Giovanni Cerrone, prefect of Rome.

[3] The Archconfraternity of the Gonfalone was a group of white penitents (due to the colour of their robe) that were headquartered in the church.

[5] The confraternity was erected in the Church of St. Mary Major by Pope Clement IV in 1265 under the name La Confraternita dei "Raccomandati della Madonna S. Maria".

[7] He tasked the new Archconfraternity with freeing slaves under Islamic rule, much like the Order of Trinitarians and the Mercedarians, especially captives from the Papal States.

The obligations of the members were to care for the sick, bury the dead, provide medical service for those unable to afford it, and give dowries to poor girls.

In 1905 the church, along with a small convent, was then sold to the Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary.