Saint of the day August 5: Virgin of the Snows. Catholic Saints

Every August 5, the Church celebrates the festival of Our Lady of the Snows, a Marian devotion that dates back to the first centuries of the Christian era and is widespread in countries such as Spain, Portugal and Italy. It also has countless devotees in Latin America.

The origin of the devotion to the Virgin of the Snows is linked to the icon Salvation of the Roman People (‘Health’ or ‘Salvation’ of the Roman people), title with which the Christians of the Empire used to invoke the Mother of God.

Until the 14th century, the festivities dedicated to this devotion were held only in Rome, but from the 17th century onwards they were spread universally by the will of Pope Saint Pius V (1566-1672).

The love of spouses, a gift of the Church

According to an ancient tradition, in the 4th century, a pious Christian couple of noble origin lived in Rome. Both recognized themselves as blessed by the faith they had embraced and because God had granted them abundant material goods. However, something was missing: they had no children.

For years they prayed asking the Lord to bless them with a son to love and inherit their possessions, but it seemed that God did not listen to them. After time, they made a decision: to name the Virgin Mary as “heir” and donate her wealth so that her cult could spread.

In response, the Mother of God appeared to them on a hot summer night, August 4, and expressed her wish that a basilica be built on the Esquiline Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome. The sign to find the auspicious place – said the Virgin – would be one that was covered in snow. This seemed nothing short of absurd – given the typical summer conditions in the northern hemisphere.

Meanwhile, the Virgin touched other hearts: she also appeared to Pope Liberius (352-366) giving him the same message.

And the snow was the sign

The next day, August 5, while the summer sun made the Roman soil burn, the entire city was amazed to see an area covered with snow on the Esquiline Hill. The couple came to the place, full of joy because everything had happened as the Virgin had announced. The Supreme Pontiff did the same, who arrived at the mountain in a solemn procession.

The snow covered an area sufficient to house a large building. Liberio immediately ordered the exact perimeter covered by the snow to be drawn before it disappeared. The Pope himself helped in the layout, as well as, later, in laying the first stones of the future Basilica. The couple offered the Pontiff to contribute by financing the construction.

Filial piety: the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

Years later, in the 5th century, after the Council of Ephesus (431), in which Mary was proclaimed Mother of God, Pope Sixtus III (432-440) erected the current basilica on top of the previous church. This Basilica is what is known today as Santa Maria Maggiore (Santa María, la Mayor) whose dedication is also celebrated on August 5.

Over time, remodeling, restoration, extensions and modifications have been made to the temple, but respecting the spirit with which those spouses noted by tradition gave their fortune in honor of the Blessed Virgin.

Today, the faithful, to commemorate this famous miracle, every anniversary throw white rose petals from the vault of the Basilica during the celebration of the Eucharist.

Devotion

Argentina, Spain, France, Mexico, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela are some of the countries in which the Virgin of the Snows is venerated and exercises countless patronages. In different regions or areas of these nations, liturgies, processions, pilgrimages or pilgrimages are celebrated every August 5. All of these in honor of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Snows.