A HOUSE FOR HER IN OUR HEARTS

Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome

Rv 21:1-5/Lk 11:27-28

We celebrate today in the liturgy the anniversary of the dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

After the declaration of the dogma of the divine motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary – that is, Mary is the Mother of God – in the Council of Ephesus in the year 431, Pope Sixtus III dedicated this Basilica in Rome in honor of Mary, the Mother of God. It was called “St. Mary Major” later on. It is considered the oldest church in the West dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Why should we celebrate the dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major when it is not even the parish church we belong to?

There are three reasons why we should celebrate the dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

First, that basilica is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Blessed Virgin Mary is very dear to us. By this reason itself, we should be happy to join in celebrating the basilica’s anniversary. To thank God for the gift of this basilica shows how much we love and value the Blessed Mother

Second, while not belonging to the community of the basilica, we recall its dedication with joy because we belong to the one, holy, catholic Church. We are related to each and every Catholic. Our local parish is united to all the parishes and Catholic communities around the world. When we celebrate the dedication of a Catholic church, even if it is not ours, we express our faith in the communion of all the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Third, Filipinos even have a special reason to celebrate the dedication of this basilica because the Basilica of Saint Mary Major also houses the Center for Filipino Migrant Workers in Rome. I had the privilege of visiting this basilica and celebrating Mass there. There I met so many Filipino overseas workers. On Sundays, a Tagalog Mass is celebrated there, too. Is it mere coincidence that the Center for Filipino Migrant Workers in Rome is located within the offices of this basilica or was it the Blessed Mother herself, to whom Filipinos are deeply devoted, who gave a home to Filipinos in her own basilica?

The Basilica of Saint Mary in Rome is called “Basilica di Sancta Maria Maggiore” because it is the mother of all churches dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We dedicate our selves to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is the mother of us all. Today we celebrate her house. Always, we house her in our hearts.