Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major

"S. Mariae Virginis ad Nives" refers to the **Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major**, also known as the **Feast of Our Lady of the Snows**. This feast is celebrated annually on **August 5th** to commemorate the dedication of the church of Santa Maria Maggiore on the Esquiline Hill in Rome.

The church was originally built by Pope Liberius (352-366) and was called after him "Basilica Liberii" or "Liberiana". It was restored by Pope Sixtus III (432-440) and dedicated to Our Lady. From that time on it was known as "Basilica S. Mariae" or "Mariae Majoris"; since the seventh century it was known also as "Maria ad Praesepe".

The appellation "ad Nives" (of the snow) originated a few hundred years later, in connection with a legend about its origin. The legend states that during the pontificate of Liberius, the Roman patrician John and his wife, who were without heirs, made a vow to donate their possessions to the Virgin Mary. They prayed to her to make known to them in what manner they were to dispose of their property in her honor. On August 5, during the night, snow fell on the summit of the Esquiline Hill and, in obedience to a vision which they had the same night, they built a basilica, in honor of Our Lady, on the spot which was covered with snow.

This feast was known as "Dedicatio Sanctae Mariae ad Nives" (Dedication of the Church of Our Lady of the Snows) until 1969. The reference to the legend was removed in the 1969 revision of the General Roman Calendar.

(1) Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dedication_of_the_Basilica_of_Saint_Mary_Major.

(2) Feast of Our Lady of the Snow | Catholic Answers Encyclopedia. https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/feast-of-our-lady-of-the-snow.

(3) CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Our Lady of the Snow - NEW ADVENT. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11361c.htm.

(4) Missale Romanum 1957 - S. MARIAE AD NIVES. https://www.clerus.org/bibliaclerusonline/es/coa.htm.