Aug. 5 - "Dedication of the Basilica of Mary Major" (Memorial)

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

No “optional Memorial” for Mary listed in Mass readings today. Hope it wasn’t removed from the liturgical calendar. Still today’s Gospel helps us appreciate the humility and faith God gives a Mother!

Before posting today’s Gospel, here is background for the Memorial honoring Mary:
…Every year on August 5, white rose petals are dropped into the sanctuary from an opening in the coffered ceiling of Saint Mary Major to commemorate its legendary origin in the fourth century. As the story goes, during the night of August 4-5, 352 (or 358, in some accounts) the Mother of God appeared simultaneously in the dreams of Pope Liberius and of a wealthy, Roman named Giovanni Patrizio, who with his wife, had decided to leave everything they had to the Church. The Blessed Mother instructed them to build a church where her children could go to their Mother with their needs and prayers. Snow fall (in Rome’s sweltering August heat!) the following morning would indicate the site of the new church. Early in the morning of August 5, Pope Liberius was informed that snow had fallen on Esquiline Hill, including on land owned by Patrizio. A famous painting by Masolino depicts the Pope using a stick to delineate in the snow the outer foundation of what would become St. Mary Major.

The earliest name for the church was the Liberian Basilica, after Pope Liberius. It was also called Santa Maria della Neve (St. Mary of the Snow) and Santa Maria Del Presepe (St. Mary of the Crib) after 4 or 5 planks of wood, said to have come from Jesus’ crib, were given to St. Mary Major. They can still be venerated there.

During his pontificate, Pope Sixtus III (432-440) saw to a major renovation of the basilica and dedicated it to the Mother of God, following the declaration of Mary as Theotokos at the Council of Ephesus (431)…for more see HERE
In today’s Gospel, Jesus praises the faith of a mother:
Jesus left Gennesaret and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Then out came a Canaanite woman from that district and started shouting, ‘Sir, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil.’ But he answered her not a word. And his disciples went and pleaded with him. ‘Give her what she wants,’ they said ‘because she is shouting after us.’ He said in reply, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.’ But the woman had come up and was kneeling at his feet. ‘Lord,’ she said ‘help me.’ He replied, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs.’ She retorted, ‘Ah yes, sir; but even house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted.’ And from that moment her daughter was well again.

Let us praise the humility and faith of our Mother Mary pleading for all of us, every day and thank Jesus for giving Mary to be our Mother and Model in His words: "Behold your Mother!
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August 5

1954 General Roman Calendar
Dedication of Our Lady of the Snows, Greater Double.
1960 General Roman Calendar
On the Dedication of Our Lady of the Snows, III class.
1969 General Roman Calendar
Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (renamed), optional memorial
Byzantine Calendar
Pre-festive Day of the Transfiguration
The Holy Martyr Eusignius (362)
 
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Dear Vico,

Thanks for the list, I’m pretty sure there was at least an optional Memorial last year but I didn’t have time to check any archives. Sufficient for today was the Notaion I had on my Catholic Calendar for 2020 to see Aug. 5, is noted as “The Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major”.

The important thing for me is to honor Our Lady today in prayer, and to thank God for His gift of Mary in my life and in the lives of others. God looks at the heart! Please let us pray for one another, for the Church and for all our Brothers and sisters, that we may have hearts filled with
Supernatural Faith, Hope, and above all Charity!
 
Dear RC67,

So glad the priest at Mass mentioned the story. There is so much beauty to be found in the Scripture, Tradition and Magisterium! Our Catholic Church has a rich history. While historians may differ on the authenticity of some stories, the Truth of Scripture still shines light on God’s Goodness and on the Love of God for Mary, Mother of His Incarnate Word.

Mary truly is unique in her relationship to the Trinity and in her role as Mother and Model for all. Thanks so much for your reply. It really warms my heart to hear priests especially remembering Mary on her “special days” and to hear her children in the laity likewise speaking of their love for her.
 
Dear Adamek and Stephie,

Thanks so much for your “hearts” which let me know there was something you liked in the post today ! Of course, there is always so much to “like” in beholding our Mother Mary. She is so very Beautiful by God’s Grace so Humble and Faithful a Mother.
 
Dear Vico,

Thanks for the list, I’m pretty sure there was at least an optional Memorial last year but I didn’t have time to check any archives. Sufficient for today was the Notaion I had on my Catholic Calendar for 2020 to see Aug. 5, is noted as “The Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major”.

The important thing for me is to honor Our Lady today in prayer, and to thank God for His gift of Mary in my life and in the lives of others. God looks at the heart! Please let us pray for one another, for the Church and for all our Brothers and sisters, that we may have hearts filled with
Supernatural Faith, Hope, and above all Charity!
You are welcome. In 2017 August 5 was a Saturdary so the USCCB Calendar notation was:
[The Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major; BVM]
 
I greatly appreciate your post. I attended mass at Santa Maria Maggiore last summer. The church makes an overwhelming impression. It is my favorite. I did not make the connection between Ephesus and this marvellous church until I read your post. Thank you again.
 
Yes, in 2017 it was listed but when I did not find it listed this year, I was surprised. Thanks again Vico for your interest. As I said, it is more important that we honor Mary regardless! 🙂
 
Dear Mark,

Always good to hear from you! Thanks for your “heart” – Mary our Mother is such a treasure, May we love her as much as we can, by God’s Grace. Each time I read the words Jesus and Mary spoke to Sister Lucia, it makes my heart ache:
Lucia was a postulant in the Convent of St. Dorothy in Pontevedra, Spain when she had the apparition of our Blessed Mother. She was standing over a cloud of light with the Child Jesus at her side. The Blessed Virgin put one hand on Lucia’s shoulder, while her other hand sustained her Immaculate Heart that was surrounded with thorns. The Child Jesus said: Have compassion on the Heart of your Blessed Mother. It is surrounded with thorns that ungrateful men pierce each moment, and there is no one that is willing to offer an act of reparation to take the thorns away."

Our Lady immediately said to Lucia: "Look, my daughter. My Heart is surrounded with thorns that ungrateful men pierce unceasingly with their blasphemies and ingratitude. You, at least, try to console me …
Thanks for your devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. When we console her, we console Him!!
 
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