With a deep roots in history and popular devotion, the papal basilica of Santa María la Mayor gives this weekend the celebrations for the anniversary of its dedication and the solemnity of the Virgen de las Nieves, known in Italian as the Madonna della Neve.
As every year, faithful Romans, pilgrims and tourists are invited to participate in this historic festival, which goes back their origins to a miraculous event that occurred in the fourth century.
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A snowfall in the middle of summer
According to tradition, on the night of August 4 to 5, 358, the Virgin Mary appeared in dreams to Pope Liberio and a Roman Patricio, asking them to build a church in the place where they would find snow the next morning. Against all seasonal prognosis, the hill of the Esquilino dawned snow cover, and there was built what is now one of the four papal basilicas of Rome: Santa María la Mayor.
Every year, this miracle is commemorated with an artificial “snowy” evocative during the liturgical celebrations of August 5.
The liturgical program
According to the statement published by this temple heart of the Marian devotion and one of the four papal basilic of Rome, the celebrations will begin with a preparatory triduum on August 2, 3 and 4, with the celebration of the Holy Mass at 18:00 local time. On Sunday 4, the eve of solemnity, the solemn eve will be held at 5:00 p.m. and a Eucharist at 18:00.
The climax will take place on Monday, August 5, with the solemnity of the dedication of the basilica and the Madonna della Neve party. At 10:00 local time, Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Archpriest of the Basilica, will preside over the solemn capitular mass, during which the snow miracle will be remembered in the song of the glory.
In the afternoon, at 5:00 p.m., Mons. Edgar Peña Parra, a substitute for the general affairs of the Vatican State Secretariat, will preside over the second eve, in which the memory of the miracle will be evoked during the magnificat song.
In addition to these central celebrations, the masses will be held according to the usual festive schedule: at 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 12:00 and 6:00 p.m.
A living tradition
The Fiesta de la Virgen de las Nieves is not only a liturgical memory, but a celebration that combines history, art, devotion and a living expression of popular faith. The evocation of the miraculous snowfall is carried out by means of a rain of white petals that fall on the faithful during the most solemn moments, filling the basilica of emotion and beauty.
The Basilica of Santa María la Mayor, jewel of Paleo -Christian art and Mariano par excellence in Rome, thus continues to guard the faith and living memory of the Virgin Mary, attracting thousands of people who wish to honor the Mother of God in this special place every year.
“We invite everyone – Fieles, residents and tourists – to participate with us in this party that is part of the spiritual soul of Rome,” reads in the official statement of the Basilica released this August 1.
The celebrations will be transmitted by the official channels of the Basilica and by some Catholic media, allowing devotion to the Virgen de las Nieves to reach many more people.
Victoria Cardiel
Victoria Cardiel is a journalist specialized in social and religious information issues. Since 2013, he has covered all the news of the Vatican for various media, such as the Spanish news agency Europa Press, or the weekly of the Archdiocese of Madrid, Alfa and Omega.