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 Images of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major Top Row: Roman Basilicas Issue (Scott 130, 1949), Obelisk Airmails (Scott C36 and C41, 1959) Bottom Row: Art Treasures of Vatican City (Scott 919, 1993), Bottom Right: Holy Year 2000 (Scott 1139) The Basilica of Saint Mary Major (or Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Italian) is one of the four Major Papal Basilicas as well as one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. Today marks the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica. The Basilica, while located in Rome, is outside the confines of Vatican City. Under the terms of the Lateran Pact of 1929, it is treated as an "extra-territorial" property, where the Holy See fully owns the Basilica and Italy treats the property as it would a foreign embassy under International Law. The present church was built under the direction of Pope Celestine I and was completed following his death. It was consecrated by Pope Sixtus III on August 5, 434, in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This was the first church in the west dedicated to the Blessed Mother.  "Foundation of Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica" Painting by Masolino da Panicale (1383–1447) From Wikimedia Commons, in the Public Domain Today's feast day is also sometimes referred to as "The Feast of Our Lady of the Snows". Based on ancient tradition, on the night of August 4-5 in 352 AD, the wealthy Roman patrician Giovanni had a vision of the Virgin Mary, who asked him to build a basilica dedicated to her "where he was to find the miraculous snow". That morning, Giovanni spoke to Pope Liberius, who admitted to have had the same vision--and snow was actually discovered on the Esquiline Hill were the future basilica would be built. The snow symbolizes the purity of Mary ("pure as the driven snow"). The 15th century painting above by Masolino da Panicale depicts Pope Liberius forming the outline of the foundation of the Basilica into the snow. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980, the Basilica enshrines the venerated image of "Salus Populi Romani", which depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary as "the health and protectress of the Roman people". The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is often visited by the pope, and he usually celebrates Mass on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary at the Basilica on August 15. In particular, Pope Francis had a fond affection for the Basilica, and visited the church both before and after each of his pilgrimage journeys. He was buried at the Basilica following his death earlier this year. Each year, on August 5, a celebration is held at the Basilica which recalls the Miracle of the Snows, where a cascade of white petals descends from the Basilica's coffered ceiling. A video of the celebration from 2019 can be viewed by clicking on the YouTube link below. Continuing reading about the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in the second article below, based on a visit by our VPS Webmaster to the Basilica. REFERENCES: |
