The icon wearing the crown placed there
by the hand of the Venerable Pius XII in 1952
The Feast of Our Lady of the Snows, the Feast of the Dedication of the Roman Patriarchal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, which is said to have been built upon the site of a miraculous fall of snow outlining the plan of the building in the night of 4th to 5th August 352 AD.
Since at least the 8th century, the miraculous icon of Our Lady, Salus Populi Romani, reputedly painted by Saint Luke upon a table made in the workshops of Saint Joseph, has been housed in the Basilica, originally above the main door. In In 1240 She was formally declared "Regina Caeli" in a document of Pope Gregory IX. Since 1613 She has been displayed in the tabernacle in the Pauline chapel built for Her, where She remains to this day, much loved of all the Roman people.
She was crowned by Pope the Venerable Pius XII in the Marian Year 1952 on the establishment of the feast of the Queenship of Mary, and declared Mother of the Church by Pope Paul VI in the closing session of the II Vatican Oecumenical Council.
It is thus fitting that this Feast be set aside for especial prayers for the present Holy Father and the success of His visit to this realm. Accordingly, after the 6.30 evening Mass on this day, prayers will be said before the icon of Our Lady of Philermo for the Pope's intentions and for the well being of our country.
Those unable to join us in the Conventual Church are warmly enjoined to unite themselves to this intention in the recitation of a Pater, Ave and Gloria and the Regina Caeli.
Posts
