August 5 - Memorial of the Dedication of Basilica of Saint Mary Major

+JMJ+ 

Dear Friends of Mary’s Arch of Triumph,

Can a great, “world class” shrine honoring the Mother of Jesus Christ possibly begin with a dream? Even a very compelling dream, such as that which inspired us to found an association to build the Arch of Triumph of the IHM? (Read more at www.archoftriumph.org/news5.)

Yes!  According to tradition the great Basilica of Our Lady of the Snows, or Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore) in Rome, perhaps the world’s foremost Marian shrine, began just that way. Legend relates that in 352 A.D. Our Lady appeared in dreams to Pope Liberius, and also to a pious and wealthy Roman couple who had decided to give all their earthly goods to the Church and needed a good cause.  She asked that a church be built in her honor on the site where snow would miraculously fall, on the night of August 4-5. Pope Liberius is said to have traced an outline of the church in the snow, and built the first basilica. 

Liberius’ basilica was restored about a century later by Pope Sixtus III after the Council of Ephesus in 431, during which Mary was declared to be the Mother of God (Theotokos) by reason of her being the mother of Jesus, who is true God and true man.  Pope Sixtus likely wanted the Basilica to help combat the Nestorian heresy (which denied the unity of Christ’s divine and human natures), which was the purpose of the Council of Ephesus in declaring Mary to be Theotokos. 

Most remarkable, and seemingly foreshadowing our own, dream-inspired means for promoting devotion to Mary’s Immaculate Heart, Pope Sixtus erected a triumphal arch over the altar, that included mosaics (Annunciation, Adoration of the Magi, Flight into Egypt, etc.) meant to invite meditation on the divinity of Christ, and the Virgin Mary's divine motherhood. 

For more about Our Lady of the Snow, visit http://www.vatican.va/various/sm_maggiore/index_en.html.

The urgency of God’s promises and warnings, revealed by Mary at Fatima nearly 90 years ago, today more than ever impels us toward our great goal of helping to establish worldwide devotion to Mary’s Immaculate Heart—to help satisfy this holy desire of Jesus, also revealed by Our Lady at Fatima, where she said on July 13, 1917, “God wishes to establish in the world, devotion to my Immaculate Heart.” 

Many fine Catholic leaders agree, that the Arch of Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary will have that most desirable effect. For excerpts from their letters, see the bottom of this page; for their actual letters, see www.archoftriumph.org/endorsements.html.

This is an exciting time for the Arch Association, as we move forward in faith to accomplish our great goal. Please keep us in your prayers, lend us your financial support, and help spread the word to your friends, family, and Catholic group and business associates. 

Together, we will make all the difference, in the world!  May Jesus and Mary always bless and protect you and your loved ones!

For the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart,