Typically the Church’s Liturgical Calendar calls for the celebration of a holy person, but today we celebrate the dedication of a holy place: St. Mary Major, one of Rome’s four principal basilicas. The others are St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran, and St. Paul outside the Walls.
The basilica is the largest Marian church in the world. It stands atop one of Rome’s seven hills, and
despite many restorations, still has the character of an early Roman basilica,
containing ancient mosaics and a breathtaking shrine containing the relics of
the crib of Bethlehem.
The basilica is of particular importance to the Christians
of Rome, for it contains the ancient and venerated image of Mary, the Salus
Populi Romani, depicting the Blessed Virgin as the help and protectress of the
Roman People.
According to legend, this image of Our Lady holding the
Christ child, was painted by the St. Luke. The story goes that after the
crucifixion, the pious women of Jerusalem urged St. Luke to visit Mary in the
home of John the Apostle to memorialize her image. While he painted, the Mother
of Jesus spoke of the life of her son. This explains how St. Luke’s Gospel
contains the all those marvelous stories from prior to the birth of Jesus. St.
Luke brought the painting back to Jerusalem where it remained until it was
discovered by Saint Helen in the 4th century
Holy Father Pope Francis would visit this image of Our Lady
before and after his apostolic journeys. In his last will and testament, the
late Holy Father wrote, “I wish my last earthly journey to end at this very
ancient Marian shrine where I would go to pray at the beginning and end of each
apostolic journey to confidently entrust my intentions to the Immaculate Mother
and to thank her for the docile and maternal care.” And so, according to his
wishes, it is now where Francis’ remains are laid to rest.
Customarily, the pope celebrates Mass at Mary Major each
year on the feast of the Assumption of Mary, Aug. 15. So Pope Leo will be
celebrating at Mary Major on the upcoming Holy Day.
The Church universal calls upon our Lady today who we delight
in honoring in statutes, shrines, churches, paintings, sculptures, medals,
basilicas, and even naming our children after her. Like the late Holy Father,
we do well to turn to her image or at least call upon her before and after our
endeavors. In doing so, we give glory to God, we entrust ourselves to our
spiritual Mother’s maternal care, and we seek her aid in living out our
Christian duties, particular vocations, and apostolates, for the glory of God
and the salvation of souls.
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For the Church, our Holy Mother: That she may continue to
nurture and guide the faithful through her teachings and sacraments, bearing
Christ to the world in word and deed. Let us pray to the Lord.
For those who feel distant from the Church: That they may
experience anew the maternal love of Mary and the Church, finding their way
back to the family of faith. Let us pray to the Lord.
For vocations to the priesthood and religious life: That
many may respond generously to God's call to serve as instruments of His love
and mercy within Mother Church. Let us pray to the Lord.
That all government leaders may be awakened to the supreme
dignity of every human life, and that all people of our nation may work
together for an end to the culture of death.
That members of the Church may be attentive to the needs of
those who suffer, and that sick and the poor may be open to the merciful grace
of God.
For the deceased members of our families and parishes, for
all of the poor souls in purgatory, and for N., for whom this Mass is offered.
We pray, O Lord our God, that the Virgin Mary, who merited
to bear God and man in her chaste womb, may commend the prayers of your
faithful in your sight. Through Christ our Lord.
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