Pope to pray Vespers at St. Mary Major on feast of Our Lady of the Snows

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Each August 5, the faithful of Rome and pilgrims commemorate the Solemnity of Our Lady of the Snows at the Marian Basilica of St. Mary Major, and Pope Francis will join them this year.

According to the Holy See Press Office, the Pope will be attending the Vespers of the Day's events at 5:30 p.m., which will be presided over by Archbishop Rolandas Makrickas, Coadjutor Archpriest of the Basilica.

The Holy Father has had a special affection for the Marian Basilica throughout his pontificate, evidenced by his numerous visits, especially before and after his Apostolic Journeys, when he prays before the icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani.

Per his personal tradition, the Pope will likely visit St. Mary Major's a month later before his Apostolic Journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore, at the beginning of September.

Solemnity and Anniversary of Dedication of Basilica

According to Thursday's announcement, Pope Francis will join the Roman faithful at the liturgy for the Solemnity and for the Anniversary for the Dedication of the Basilica.

Earlier in the day, there will be a 10 a.m. Mass in honour of Our Lady of the Snows, in which white flower petals are dropped from the ceiling.

The same showering of the 'snow' is repeated at the 5 p.m. Vespers.

Following the Vespers,  Archbishop Emilio Nappa, the President of the Pontifical Missions Societies, will preside over another Eucharistic celebration at 7 p.m.

Miraculous August snowfall of 352

Tradition holds that the Blessed Virgin Mary made snow fall on the Esquiline Hill in the midst of the sweltering August heat of 352.

A Roman nobleman and his wife, who were without heirs, prayed to God to reveal how they should spend their wealth. In a dream shared by both the patrician and Pope Liberius, Mary expressed her wish for a church to be built at the site on the Esquiline Hill.

Despite the scorching summer heat, on August 5, 352, snow fell in a rectangular pattern and did not melt.

The Basilica of St. Mary Major was built on the spot, and completed in 354. 

Gradually resuming activities

The Pope's involvement in this annual tradition for the Blessed Mother this year follows his customary July break from most activities, with the exception of his Sunday Angelus addresses to the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

Later that week, on August 7, the Holy Father will resume his weekly Wednesday General Audiences in the Vatican.