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 The Basilica of Saint Mary Major Holy Year 2000 Issue Scott 1139 (2000) 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. 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. The stamp above was issued along with stamps of the other papal basilicas for the Holy Year of 2000. Two additional stamps will be presented below. The Basilica is located in Rome on the Esquiline Hill. While being 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.  "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 houses a treasure trove of artistic and spiritual treasures, and compiling a list is beyond the scope of a Daily Email. However, here are a few highlights to remember. 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". Eight popes are interred at Saint Mary Major. Three of note would be Pope Sixtus V (reigned from 1585 to 1590) whose tomb is found this basilica's Sistine Chapel (named in his honor). Pope Francis, who had a fond affection for the Basilica and a deep devotion to the Salus Populi Romani, was buried in a simple tomb just outside the Pauline Chapel, which houses the Marian icon. The Pauline Chapel is named for Pope Paul V, who died in 1621 and is entombed in the chapel. The confessio under the main altar houses the "Sacra Culla" (or "Holy Crib"), the relic holding five pieces of wood from the manger from Jesus's birth. 
 Images of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major Roman Basilicas Issue (Scott 130, 1949) and Art Treasures of Vatican City (Scott 919, 1993) In addition to the stamp at the top of the article, here are two others showing views of the Basilica. Scott 130 from the Roman Basilicas issue shows the front of the basilica, including the towering "Column of Peace", the 14-meter tall marble column capped with the image of the Madonna and Child. Scott 919 from the Art Treasures issue looks at the rear of the basilica, where one finds the Piazza Esquilino and the imposing Esquiline Obelisk. The obelisk, which stands almost 15 meters high, was placed in the Piazza by Pope Sixtus V in 1587. This obelisk has also been depicted on two airmail stamps issued by Vatican City (Scott C36 and C41 from 1959). The stamps above also show the domes of the Pauline and Sistine Chapels, and the bell tower (or campanile), which is the tallest in Rome. 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. Click on this LINK to read about the visit to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore by VPS Webmaster Marvin Lanahan and the "snow" he discovered. REFERENCES: |
