Santa Maria Maggiore

Today is the great memorial of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. This basilica is indeed of such beauty that it overwhelms the senses, much like our Blessed Mother herself. The universal church celebrates the anniversary of four major basilicas in Rome: St. Peter's, St. Paul's Outside the Walls, St. Mary Major, and St. John Lateran. Through the celebration of these great churches, which indeed are wonderful testimonies to God's great glory, all Christians find a special connection with the Holy See.

"This feast commemorates the miracle of the snowfall that occurred during the night of August 4-5 in the year 358 on the site where the basilica now stands. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to two faithful Roman Christians, the patrician John and his wife, as well as to Pope Liberius (352-366), asking that a church be built in her honor on the site where snow would fall on the night of August 4-5. Pope Liberius traced the outlines of the church in the snow and the first basilica was built on that site. It was completed about a century later by Pope Sixtus III (432-440), after the Council of Ephesus in 431 during which Mary was declared to be the Mother of God." (CatholicCulture.org)

On a visit to Rome, it is common for pilgrims to make a point of visiting all four of these basilicas. The age and beauty of these basilicas point to God in a way that few things still do in this modern world that so eagerly disregards Him. But in addition each basilica holds significance to the lives of every Christian through the treasure of the faith which they contain and the role they have held as witnesses to God on Earth through the centuries.

What specifically sticks out in my memory about this basilica is not only the breathless mosaics and artwork covering almost every surface, but more wonderful yet is the relic of Christ's Crib hidden beneath the High Alter. How can one even give words to the awe of beholding part of the humble little crib which held our Lord on that most holy of nights. Praise God! It is a bit of Bethlehem in Rome.

For a virtual tour of the basilica please click here.

To learn more about St. Mary Major and its history please visit the following sites:
http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/sm_maggiore/vr_tour/index-en.html
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2010-08-05