Dedication of Our Lady of the Snows (5 August)

About this sermon

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major (Our Lady of the Snows), one of the four major papal basilicas of Rome and the first church in the Eternal City dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Discover the remarkable story of the miraculous snowfall on the Esquiline Hill in the summer of A.D. 352, when the Blessed Virgin Mary revealed the location where her church was to be built. Learn about the wealthy Roman nobleman John, Pope Liberius, and the extraordinary miracle that gave rise to one of Christianity's most beloved Marian shrines. This reflection also explores the significance of St. Mary Major, the Council of Ephesus, the proclamation of Mary as the Mother of God (Theotokos), and the beautiful annual tradition of the shower of white flowers that commemorates the miraculous snow. Finally, we reflect on the traditional Catholic teaching of Mary as Mediatrix of All Graces, including the beautiful words of Pope Leo XIII from Octobri Mense, reminding us that while all grace comes from Jesus Christ, God wills that these graces come to us through His Blessed Mother. May this feast deepen your love for Our Lady and strengthen your devotion to Jesus Christ through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. 0:00 Feast of the Dedication of St. Mary Major 0:22 The Miracle of Our Lady of the Snows (A.D. 352) 0:37 The Nobleman John and His Prayer 1:01 Our Lady Reveals the Church's Location 1:18 The Miraculous Snowfall on August 5 1:48 The Building of St. Mary Major 2:13 Other Names of the Basilica 2:37 The Council of Ephesus and Mary, Mother of God 3:09 The Annual Shower of White Flowers 3:43 Mary's Purity and the Graces of Innocence 4:00 Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces 4:31 Pope Leo XIII on Marian Mediation 5:19 God's Mercy Through the Blessed Virgin Mary For more please visit http://svfonline.org/ & remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #OurLadyOfTheSnows #StMaryMajor #BlessedVirginMary #MotherOfGod #CatholicFaith #TraditionalCatholic #CatholicChurch #MarianDevotion #MediatrixOfAllGraces #CatholicHistory #Rome #LatinMass #Theotokos #CouncilOfEphesus #FeastDay