Feast of Our Lady of the Snow
(August 5th)
There is a most miraculous story that has led to the celebration of the dedication of the St. Mary Major Basilica. According to reports the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a wealthy couple in a dream who had pledged their fortune to the Mother of God. She asked them to build a Church in honor of her where snow would fall on the night of August 4-5th 352 AD in Rome. As she had predicted snow fell that night and Pope Liberius outlined the perimeter of snow to show where a future Bascilica would stand in honor of Our Lady. The Basilica was completed by Pope Sixtus III(432-440). The miraculous snow fall is commemorated on August 5 by releasing a shower of white rose petals from the basilica dome.
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| Pope Liberius defines in the snow the future site of Santa Maria Maggiore Masolino da Panicale, c. 1400 |
The basilica is also known as Maria ad Praesepe as it contains some pieces of the wood from the Manger baby Jesus was born in.
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| Mary Major Basilica in Rome |
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