Happy Feast of Our Lady of the Snows

Hello all - we write to all of you on this August 5th, 2008, the Feast of Our Lady of the Snows, known today as the Dedication of the Mary Major Basilica in Rome.

The early Church was often struggling in its theology, and one of the first debates was on the very nature of Jesus: was he a man, was he God, or was he somehow both earthly and spiritual? Jesus, uniquely, is fully God (part of the Holy Trinity) but yet Son of both God and of Adam and Eve, through Mary – fully human.And so, today, we celebrate Mary as Mother of God. The Mary Major Basilica was built to honor this very fact, and was the first church built in honor of and thusly named for Our Lady. We thank Mary for being the first "sacred vessel" to contain the body and blood of Christ, and for her giving spirit in presenting him to us. We see this too in the representation of Our Lady of the Snows, presenting to us both Christ and his message of Healing and Hope.

May we all take a moment today, those whose lives are connected through employment, vows, or some other way to Our Lady of the Snows (her Shrine is where Orin is music and liturgy coordinator) or any other title of Mary, and in that moment, rejoice and be thankful for all that is good in our lives.

Happy Feast Day!

Pilgrims pay homage to a cross constructed of prayers for healing and hope.

Pilgrims receive the sacrament of the anointing of the sick while Karl Z and the band lead the sung prayer.  Oddwalk also played last night at the novena.