Our Lady of the snow and the miracle of snowfall in the middle of summer
La Our Lady of the Snows (Santa Maria Maggiore), located in Rome, is one of the four major Marian sanctuaries in the city, together with Santa Maria del Popolo, Santa Maria in Trastevere and Santa Maria sopra Minerva.
The legend of the Madonna della Neve dates back to XNUMXth century AD. It is said that in Rome, during the night of August 5th, there was a strange snowfall. During that night of August 5, 1932, Maria appeared to a married couple and a Pope Sixtus III, urging them to build a church on the exact spot where they would find snow the next day.
Pope Sixtus believed in the divine message and the following morning he went to speak with John, a Roman nobleman, converted to Christianity, who lived on the Esquiline Hill. Giovanni had also had the same dream. Insisting on the importance of the dream, the two went to the then prefect of Rome, a man named Lucio, to ask for his insight and approval.
Lucio didn't believe their stories, but decided to accompany them to the site where the snowflakes should have fallen to control the situation. When they arrived on the Esquiline Hill, they were all speechless at the sight. In fact, the hill was completely covered by a thick blanket of INFO. The local farmers were incredulous and tried to push the snow away, but soon realized that it was impossible, it was a divine phenomenon.
It was decided that on the place where the snow had fallen, a Marian shrine. The sanctuary, then called Santa Maria Maggiore, was built in the exact place where the snow had fallen. The ancient and venerated Marian image with the title of Salus populi Romani.
Prayer to Our Lady of the Snow
O Maria, woman of the most sublime heights, teach us to climb the holy mountain that is Christ. Guide us on God's path, marked by the footprints of your maternal steps. Teach us the way of love, to be able to love always. Teach us the way of gioiain order to make others happy. Teach us the way of patience, in order to welcome everyone with generosity.
Teach us the way of goodness, to serve the brothers who are in need. Teach us the path of simplicity, to enjoy the beauties of creation. Teach us the way of meeknessto bring peace to the world. Teach us the way of fidelityso that we never get tired of doing good. Teach us to look up, so as not to lose sight of our final goal life: eternal communion with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen!