The Church of Jesus, also known as Santa Maria di Gesu and Casa profession - one of the most prominent baroque churches of Palermo and the whole Sicily.

The monks of the Order of the Jesuits arrived in Palermo in mid-16th century, and at the end of the same century began construction of a church near his main house - Casa profession. The project developed the temple Jesuit architect Giovanni Tristano. Originally, the church had in terms of one main nave with large transepts and several side chapels, but in the early 17th century to make it more majestic type that was typical Jesuit architecture, Natale Mazuchcho added to the main nave, two aisles, removing the partition between the chapels. In 1636, the solemn consecration of the new church.

In the 18th century interior of the church was decorated with marble reliefs depicting scenes "Blessings shepherd" and "Adoration of the Magi" by Gioachino Vitaliano work - both the bas survived. On the walls of one of the chapels, you can see the fresco "Adoration of the Magi", written during the second half of the 18th century, Antonio Grano. Also in the church is kept high relief Ignazio Marabitti "Glory to St. Luke."

In 1892, Knight of the Order of Salvatore di Pietro, a former rector of Casa profession, philanthropist, prefect of the seminary, member of the Theological College and the Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a member of the Academy of Russian history, persuaded Paolo Boselli, Italy's Minister of Education, to make the church a national monument of Jesus.

During the air raids of Palermo during the Second World War, one of the bombs hit the dome of the church, calling it collapsed along with most of the walls and frescoes in the chancel of the church and the transept. After two years of restoration work the unique frescoes have been restored, and in February 2009 the church was re-inaugurated - the first Mass held Paolo Romeo, Archbishop of Palermo.