FOR THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF SNOW

FOR THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF SNOW[1]

Trace lightly on dark land

with thy white fingers,

Lady of Snow:

show us thy plan.

Ebony landscape awaits

the patterned years;

sketch in the architecture

of thy hope.

No building rises here

without thy counsel,

Lady of Snow:

let soft flakes fall.

Sister M Julian RSM

Catholic World.  July 1959

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[1] According to tradition, the Blessed Virgin appeared to a Roman patrician named John during the papacy of Pope Liberius (352-366) and asked him to build a church on a certain spot.  It is said that her request was confirmed by a miraculous fall of snow out of season.  The church was built and endowed by John in 352 .  Initially known as the Liberian Basilica, it was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary by Pope Sixtus III in 435.  It survives until this day and is known by the title of St Mary Major.  The feast of St Mary of the Snows occurs on 5 August.