Dedication of the Basilica of Santa María Maggiore

Biography

So rich that, no matter how many alms they gave to the poor as exemplary Christians, they never ran out. One day the two spouses went to the Virgin Mary, begging her to inspire them with the way most pleasing to them and their Son, to make use of their wealth. The Virgin came to the aid of Juan Patricio and his wife while they were sleeping. In dreams, and separately, the Virgin Mary appeared to them, telling them that it was her desire that they build a temple in her honor in the place that She indicated to them. They had to build it on Mount Esquiline and in that part where it was all covered in snow. The two husbands went to Pope Liberius to tell him about the vision. The Pope had also had the same vision as them. The Supreme Pontiff organizes a Procession and everyone goes singing hymns to the Lord and his Mother the Virgin Mary towards the indicated place. When they get there, everyone is amazed when they contemplate those wonders. A large piece of mountain appeared, bounded by fresh, white snow. The people sing with joy and there, in the heart of Rome, they build a magnificent Basilica in honor of Saint Mary, which they would dedicate four years later. This is how the devotion to Our Lady of Las Nieves, Santa María del Pesebre or Santa María la Mayor, Basilica Liberiana, etc. arises. what is it called. The legend of this story does not appear until very late. The truth is that it has influenced true history and has made this great Basilica one of the four largest in Rome and one of the most beautiful and most visited in Christendom. The devotion of the Roman people to the Virgin is encouraged, above all, by this sumptuous temple dedicated to the Mother of God and where the largest part of the Crib of Bethlehem is preserved and, on Christmas Eve, the Pope, who is at the same time the Bishop of Rome, usually celebrates the Eucharist in this Basilica. It is considered the oldest Church in the West, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.