The Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary
Lives of the Saints
by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. edition
[1894]
August 5.—THE DEDICATION OF ST. MARY AD NIVES.
THERE are in Rome four patriarchal churches, in which the Pope officiates on different festivals.
These are the Basilics of St. John Lateran, St. Peter’s on the Vatican Hill, Basilica of Saint Paul and St. Mary Major.
This last is so called because it is, both in antiquity and dignity, the first church in Rome among those that are dedicated to God in honor of the Virgin Mary.
The name of the Liberian Basilic was given it because it was founded in the time of Pope Liberius, in the fourth century; it was consecrated, under the title of the Virgin Mary, by Sixtus III., about the year 435. It is also called St. Mary ad Nives, or at the snow, from a popular tradition that the Mother of God chose this place for a church under her invocation by a miraculous snow that fell upon this spot in summer, and by a vision in which she appeared to a patrician named John, who munificently founded and endowed this church in the pontificate of Liberius.
The same Basilic has sometimes been known by the name of St. Mary ad Præsepe, from the holy crib or manger of Bethlehem, in which Christ was laid at His birth. It resembles an ordinary manger, is kept in a case of massive silver, and in it lies an image of a little child, also of silver. On Christmas Day the holy Manger is taken out of the case, and exposed. It is kept in a sumptuous subterraneous chapel in this church.
Reflection.—To render our supplications the more efficacious, we ought to unite them in spirit to those of all fervent penitents and devout souls, in invoking this advocate for sinners.
What are the four major churches in Rome?
Archbasilica of St. John Lateran bottom right (see Nov 9), St. Peter’s Basilica top left (see Nov 18), Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls top right (see Nov 18), and Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore bottom left (see Aug 5) are the only four Major Basilicas, all other churches called “Basilica” are Minor Basilicas.
Beauty, Tradition, & Relics – Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major (EWTN Vaticano)
The Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major; BVM Lv 25:1, 8-17/Mt 14:1-12 (406).
https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints/dedication-of-the-basilica-of-saint-mary-major-in-rome-415
SAINTS DEDICATION OF THE BASILICA OF SAINT MARY MAJOR IN ROME
*The Miracle of the Snow by Masolino da Panicale. Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary look on Pope Liberius, who uses a hoe to mark the basilica’s outline following the shape of the legendary snowfall.
*The Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major (In Dedicatione basilicae S. Mariae) is a feast day in the General Roman Calendar of the Catholic Church, optionally celebrated annually on 5 August with the rank of memorial.In earlier editions of the General Roman Calendar, down to that of 1960, it is called the Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary of the Snows (In Dedicatione basilicae S. Mariae ad Nives), a reference to the legendary story about the foundation of the basilica. For the same reason the feast is also known popularly as Our Lady of the Snows. The reference to the legend was removed in the 1969 revision of the General Roman Calendar.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dedication_of_the_Basilica_of_Saint_Mary_Major
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Jn 6:68–69