Legend has it that around the year 352, a childless couple in Rome wanted to donate their possessions to the Blessed Mother but they didn’t know how. In answer to their prayers, snow fell on Esquiline Hill one night in the middle of summer coinciding with a vision they had of Mary asking that a church be built on that spot.
The Basilica of Mary Major, one of four major basilicas in Rome, was built on that spot. Every Aug. 5, the date of the church’s dedication, the miracle is commemorated by releasing rose petals inside from the dome during Mass and later outside the church.
The Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria has marked “The miracle of the snow” since 2021 as 2,000 white silk rose petals fall from the ceiling during the 8:30 a.m. Mass.
If you go
Mass at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 5 at the Basilica of St. Mary, 310 S. Royal St., Alexandria.
