Our Lady of the Snows - 5 Things to Know About the Miracle Snowfall in Summer that Led to the Construction of Saint Mary Major Basilica - Feast Day August 5

Feast of Our Lady of the Snows

Feast Day: August 5

1. Latin Title: Dedicatio Sanctæ Mariæ ad Nives

On August 5th, the Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of the Snows, commemorating the dedication of the historic Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore) situated on the Esquiline Hill in Rome.

2. Historical Origins of the Basilica

The basilica's origins date back to the 4th century, when it was originally constructed under the pontificate of Pope Liberius (352–366) and known as the Basilica Liberii or Liberiana. 

3. Name Change Following the Council of Ephesus—which proclaimed Mary as the Theotokos (Mother of God)—Pope Sixtus III (432–440) restored and expanded the church, dedicating it solemnly to the Blessed Virgin. From that period onward, it was known as Basilica Sanctæ Mariæ or Mariæ Majoris. In the 7th century, it also acquired the name Maria ad Præsepe after receiving relics of the Holy CRIB of Bethlehem.

4. The Miracle of the Snow

The title ad Nives ("of the snows") and the tradition associated with it emerged in later centuries. According to pious tradition, a wealthy Roman patrician named John and his wife had no heirs and vowed to leave their vast fortune to the Blessed Virgin Mary. They prayed for a sign to reveal how they should honor her with their wealth.

5. The Pope's Vision On the night of August 5, during the heat of the Roman summer, a miraculous snowfall covered the crest of the Esquiline Hill. That same night, Our Lady appeared in a vision to both the couple and Pope Liberius, instructing them to build a church on the precise spot marked by the white snow. Obeying the heavenly command, they built the grand basilica in her honor.

While historical and liturgical scholars note that contemporary 5th-century records focus primarily on the dedication by Pope Sixtus III rather than the miraculous snowfall, the story remains a beloved devotion within Catholic tradition, symbolizing Our Lady's purity and maternal care.

Edited from the Source: The Catholic Encyclopedia