August 5 - Feast of "Our Lady of the Snows" (Dedication of St. Mary Major)

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today’s Feast is more popularly known as “Our Lady of the Snows”. For more see HERE. The history of this Feast dates back to the very early Church and speaks to the great love and devotion for our Blessed Mother which has been in the Catholic Church from its beginning.

There is also a National Shrine to Our Lady of the Snows, in the United States, which has an interesting history as well. See snows.org/about-us/shrine-history/. An excerpt from the website:

…the magnificent Basilica of St. Mary Major, still stands today as the seat of devotion to Our Lady of the Snows in the Catholic Church. However, Our Lady of the Snows is honored here, not so much because of the legend, but because of her special role in the Church that is by its very nature, missionary. The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate – the congregation of priests and brothers who operate this Shrine – following the inspiration of their founder, St. Eugene de Mazenod – have always called on Mary as their principal patroness, one who looks upon their missionary efforts with a mother’s love…

…In April of 1943, the perpetual novena to Our Lady of the Snows was begun.

The first Solemn Outdoor Novena was held in 1951, the final day being celebrated on August 5, the Feast of Our Lady of the Snows. The Novena became an annual event which soon attracted thousands each year…

The painting of Our Lady of Snows mentioned in the article can be viewed at:
library.georgetown.edu/sites/default/files/images/religious_drawings__davis_snows_1943.jpg

 

[liturgy96]

Thanks so much for sharing this! As I said before during the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel: Mater Dei, ora pro nobis!

 

[Jeannie52]

Thank you so much for this beautiful post for today’s feast day for Our Lady of the Snows!

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks so much for sharing this! As I said before during the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel: Mater Dei, ora pro nobis!

Dear liturgy96,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, “Mater Dei, ora pro nobs” (Mother of God, pray for us). How very much we need to pray to Jesus through Mary, by the power of the Holy Spirit! When I looked at the painting of Our Lady of Snows:
library.georgetown.edu/sites/default/files/images/religious_drawings__davis_snows_1943.jpg, I couldn’t help but think how “cold” the world has become toward Jesus and Mary and yet how they continue to love and call us to repent and believe the Good News!

 

[MariaChristi]

Thank you so much for this beautiful post for today’s feast day for Our Lady of the Snows!

Dear Jeannie,

Thanks for your reply and let us continue to ponder the infinite love of God, seen by faith, radiating from the Immaculate Heart of Mary. What wonders did He not work in her who conceived His Son the Word Made Flesh in her womb, by the power of the Holy Spirit!

Mary Immaculate was the first “tabernacle” to hold the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus. When I think of snow falling it is so pure and white and so quiet – like Mary!

Our Lady of the Snows, pray for us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.