Our Lady of the Snows

Today is the feast day of the dedication of St. Mary Major, a church in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Sometimes this day is referred to as Our Lady of the Snows.

The story goes that Mary came to a nobleman in a dream and asked for a church dedicated in her honor in Rome.  The sign she would send as to where the church should be was snow.  So, in hot Italy in August, snow came on August 5th.  Today that is where the church of St. Mary Major is located.

The Missionary Oblates Mary Immaculate headquartered in Belleville, IL have Our Lady of Snows as their patron.  Since the Oblates served in Alaska, they use the image of Mary as a Native woman holding the Christ child.  It makes a lovely statue.  I have Our Lady of Snows in my front garden.