The Solemnity of Our Lady of Snows in Rome is one of the more beloved annual traditions in Rome. Similar to the feast of Pentecost at the Pantheon, flower pedals are showered down upon the floor of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in commemoration of the event that took place in
According to the story, a wealthy man by the name of John the Patrician and Pope Liberius both had the same dream one night asking for a church to be built in Rome on the site where snow would fall. Historical evidence suggests the legend is historically based. The miracle has for centuries been commemorated annually on August 5 with a shower of white flower petals falling from the coffered ceiling of the basilica where one of the ceiling panels is removed for the moment.
The Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major has dominated over the city of Rome for 16 centuries as the Marian shrine par excellence and the cradle of artistic civilization.
St. Mary Major remains today the largest church in Rome dedicated to Our Lady. In some ways it is also the first Marian sanctuary in the West and is the mother of all other Marian sanctuaries. Standing at a height of 75 metres, the Basilica’s Medieval brick bell tower is the tallest such tower in Rome, and because the Basilica is located on a hill, it is also the highest spot in the city.
The event is celebrated with a triduum of 3 days of prayer leading up to August 5th. On August 2nd there is a Mass at 6 pm celebrated by a canon of the Basilica. Then on August 3rd there is another Mass celebrated by a canon of the basilica. On August 5th there is Vespers at 5 pm and another Mass celebrated by a canon of the basilica.
On August 5th at 10:00 am, a Solemn Pontifical Mass is celebrated, generally by the Archpriest of the Basilica. Participants arrive early to get a seat. The event is standing room only, with first come first serve for seating.
At the end of Mass, the white flower petals are generally sent fluttering through the removed ceiling tile, dancing their way to the ground. At 5 pm Solemn Vespers is sung by a visiting prelate who is accompanied by the canons of the basilica. In the evening at dusk there is generally a commemoration of the event outside the church in the front piazza.
Below is a mosaic of the event, depicted in the upstairs loggia of the basilica.
Located at the summit of the Esquiline Hill, it is one of Rome’s four Papal Basilicas. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary indicated and inspired the construction of her abode on the Esquiline Hill. She appeared in a dream to the aristocrat, Giovanni, and to Pope Liberius, asking for the construction of a Church in her honour, in a place that She would miraculously reveal is recalled each year with a solemn celebration. During the liturgy, a shower of white petals falls from the ceiling, creating an almost perfect union between the congregation and the Mother of God.
The Basilica houses the most important Marian icon, the Salus Populi Romani. Tradition attributes the image to Saint Luke the Evangelist, the Patron Saint of painters. Pope Francis entrusts his Apostolic Journeys to the protection of the Salus Populi Romani, which he visits before every departure and after every return.
The relic of the Holy Crib, the manger in which Baby Jesus was laid to rest, highlights the importance of Saint Mary Major as the “Bethlehem of the West”. The first Christmas night Mass was celebrated here and Pontiffs have been keeping this tradition alive for centuries.
Among the Basilica’s most important relics are the remains of Saint Matthew and Saint Jerome.
Seven Popes are buried in the Basilica.
The many treasures housed in the Basilica make Saint Mary Major a place where art and spirituality blend in a perfect pairing, giving visitors the unique emotions that transpire from man’s great works of art, inspired by God.
Below is a mosaic of the event, depicted in the upstairs loggia of the basilica.
Located at the summit of the Esquiline Hill, it is one of Rome’s four Papal Basilicas. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary indicated and inspired the construction of her abode on the Esquiline Hill. She appeared in a dream to the aristocrat, Giovanni, and to Pope Liberius, asking for the construction of a Church in her honour, in a place that She would miraculously reveal is recalled each year with a solemn celebration. During the liturgy, a shower of white petals falls from the ceiling, creating an almost perfect union between the congregation and the Mother of God.
The Basilica houses the most important Marian icon, the Salus Populi Romani. Tradition attributes the image to Saint Luke the Evangelist, the Patron Saint of painters. Pope Francis entrusts his Apostolic Journeys to the protection of the Salus Populi Romani, which he visits before every departure and after every return.
The relic of the Holy Crib, the manger in which Baby Jesus was laid to rest, highlights the importance of Saint Mary Major as the “Bethlehem of the West”. The first Christmas night Mass was celebrated here and Pontiffs have been keeping this tradition alive for centuries.
Among the Basilica’s most important relics are the remains of Saint Matthew and Saint Jerome.
Seven Popes are buried in the Basilica.
The many treasures housed in the Basilica make Saint Mary Major a place where art and spirituality blend in a perfect pairing, giving visitors the unique emotions that transpire from man’s great works of art, inspired by God.
Below are posters celebrating the event.
Below are images of the annual Mass, celebrated on the morning of August 5th. These images are from the Pontifical Mass in the Holy Year 2025. Photo credit: Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore.
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