August 5

Our Lady of the Snows

Miracle of the Snows

Devotion to Mary under the title of Our Lady of the Snows is one of the oldest devotions to Mary.

On August 5, 352 A.D., a hot morning in Rome at Esquiline Hill was found covered with snow.

Mary had indicated in a dream to a wealthy Roman couple that she wanted a church built in her honor and they would know the location for the church by where the snow fell. All of Rome proclaimed the summer snow miraculous and in 358 A.D. a church was built on this very hill to honor Our Lady. It is now the beautiful Basilica St. Mary Major and is the center for devotion to Our Lady of the Snows in the Catholic Church. Devotion to Mary under the title of Our Lady of the Snows is one of the oldest devotions to Mary.

see this lovely video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO-8Hk7ffjU

***

Flower of the Day

Snow Drop

Galanthus nivalus

Symbolizes Hope - Mary's Bells

Snowdrops was generally the first flower to bloom in the winter and brought with it hope of spring in what seemed to be an unending winter.

"Candlemas Bells" or "Purification Flowers"

These flowers are said to have bloomed on Candlemas or Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, February 2, now designated as the Feast of the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple.

***

In the evening of August 5, the feast of Our Lady of the Snow, as I knelt in my room, Our Lady spoke to me about the Diving Indwelling. It was her life and she lived it perfectly, always conscious of His presence, never forgetting that all her greatness came from within, from Him Who dwelt there, working, loving, and doing good through her. This is what Our Lady means when she speaks of reformation, renewal. It is this about which she is so concerned, namely, sanctification from within. Our Lady of America messages, 1957

***

Ave Maria!