Dedication of St. Mary Major Basilica
Feast Day: August 5
“Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.”
Honoring the Mother of God
The Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, celebrated on August 5, honors the oldest church in the West dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast commemorates the love of the Church for Mary as Mother of God, and the basilica stands as a lasting monument to her role in the mystery of salvation.
A Basilica Born from a Miracle of Snow
According to tradition, in the year 358 A.D., the wealthy Roman couple John and his wife, desiring to dedicate their fortune to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, prayed for guidance. On the night of August 4–5, a miraculous snowfall covered the Esquiline Hill in Rome, a miraculous event in the heat of the Roman summer.
At the same time, Pope Liberius had the same dream, seeing the Virgin Mary instruct him to build a church on that very spot where the snow had fallen. The pope traced the outline of the future basilica in the snow, and construction began soon after.
A Monument to Mary, Mother of God
The Basilica of St. Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore) was completed following the Council of Ephesus in 431, which solemnly declared Mary as Theotokos—Mother of God. The basilica became a center of Marian devotion, celebrating her role in the Incarnation and in the life of the Church.
The basilica houses one of the most beautiful collections of early Christian mosaics, as well as relics of the Holy Crib (wood said to be from the manger in Bethlehem).
A Pilgrimage of Faith and Marian Devotion
For centuries, pilgrims from around the world have visited St. Mary Major to honor the Mother of God, seek her intercession, and draw closer to her Son, Jesus. The feast celebrates both the physical church and the spiritual reality of Mary’s care for all Christians.
Patronage of Marian Churches and Devotion
This feast highlights the importance of Marian churches around the world and reminds the faithful of the special role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in leading souls to Christ.
A Witness to Mary’s Motherly Love
The Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major reminds the faithful that Mary is always our mother and protector. The basilica stands as a sign of her maternal care for the Church and her constant intercession for all her children.
Our Lady, Mother of God, pray for us!
