Pope Francis attended an evening prayer service at Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major on Monday, the feast of the basilica’s dedication, which is also the feast of Our Lady of the Snows.
According to tradition, on Aug. 5, 358, Mary had the snowfall to mark the spot on Rome’s Esquiline Hill where she wanted a church built in her honor. The event is marked each Aug. 5 with flower-petal precipitation during the singing of the Gloria at Mass and again with the singing of the Magnificat at evening prayer.
See Catholic News Service’s report from Rome in the video above.
Summer Snow in Rome? Pope Explains Ancient Miracle
Monsignor Sullivan is the outgoing executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, and served as the Mass' principal celebrant and homilist.
By:
Steven Schwankert
| 09/08/2025
"This is New York. I see it as a sign that we are probably doing something good," -- Carlo Conchazea, participant.
By:
The Good Newsroom
| 09/08/2025
“We see him (Jesus) as a priest in our Gospel this evening – we see a priest in action,” Cardinal Dolan said.