Pope Francis, will join in praying Vespers for the Solemnity of Our Lady of the Snows and the Anniversary of the Dedication of the Basilica on August 5.
Every August 5th, the faithful of Rome and pilgrims commemorate the Solemnity of Our Lady of the Snows at the Marian Basilica of St. Mary Major, remembering the great miracle of the snow.
The Holy See Press Office noted; 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 makes a traditional visit to the basilica, especially before and after his Apostolic Journeys, when he prays before the icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani.
According to the July 12th 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.
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.
In spite of 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.
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.
On August 7, the Holy Father is scheduled resume his weekly Wednesday General Audiences in the Vatican. Source: VaticanNews
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