The Xaghra Parish Community will be celebrating the Solemnity of the Anniversary of Saint Mary Major Basilica’s Dedication, starting Thursday afternoon and continuing on Friday, the 5th of August. Xaghra Basilica is spiritually affiliated to this major Basilica in Rome since 2003.

Santa Maria Maggiore is also known as the Liberian Basilica and this derives from a legend dating back as early as the 13th century. Many times this legend is confused with the actual history of the Basilica, mainly for it being so well known traditionally and Pope Liberius is synonymous with the founder of Santa Maria Maggiore.

The story goes that during the height of summer in Rome in the year 358 CE a couple was visited by the Virgin in their sleep and were asked to build a church in honor of her with their savings since they were without children or heirs. The site where the church was supposed to be built, according to the apparition of the Virgin, would be revealed by snowfall on the spot, even though it was the peak of summer in August. The couple tells Pope Liberius of this vision that they had and to their surprise Pope Liberius had had the same exact dream. The very next day it snowed atop the Esquiline Hill and Pope Liberius built the basilica with the funds donated by the couple.

Some of the sources scholars believe show the development of this legend are the “Liber Pontificalis,” (Latin for Book of the Popes) and also a 15th century painting, Masaccio and Masolino da Panicale’s Miracle of the Snow which depicts the legend of the Liberian basilica. The Liber Pontificalis gives reference to Pope Liberius and the basilica he built: “He built the basilica of his own name near the Macellum of Libia and held two ordinations” and since most scholars agree that the Liber Pontificalis dates back to the early 13th century it shows us the development of the Legend of the Liberian basilica. Even though a majority of scholars agree that the legend of the founding of Santa Maria Maggiore is a mere legend, people still hold it close to the tradition of the basilica.

The Dedication anniversary will be celebrated with religious activities at the Xaghra Basilica as follows:

Thursday 4th August 2011: Eve of the Solemnity.

6.45pm: Solemn First Vespers by the Reverend Chapter and Clergy of our Collegiate Church.

Friday 5th August 2011: Solemnity of the Dedication of Saint Mary Major Basilica.

5.15am, 6am, 6.30am, 7.45am, 8.30am: Masses with homily.

A Day of Eucharistic Adoration is held from 7am till 7.30pm.

6.45pm: Solemn Second Vespers by the Reverend Chapter and Clergy of our Collegiate Church. Impartation of Eucharistic Benediction.

7.30pm: Solemn Concelebrated Mass led by Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo with the participation of the Reverend Chapter and Clergy of our Collegiate Church.

From 8.30pm till 10pm: Eucharistic Adoration in the Basilica.

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