Here follows the message by Rolandas Makrickas , titular Archbishop of Tolentino, about WORLD ROSARY DAY 2024 at Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome (ITALY)
“The Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome is the Marian temple par excellence and cradle of artistic civilization, located on the summit of the Esquiline Hill in Rome.
The story goes that the Virgin Mary indicated and inspired the construction of her abode on the Esquiline by appearing in a dream to the patrician John and Pope Liberius. To both she asked for the construction of a church in her honor, in a place that she herself would miraculously indicate.
On August 5, 358, the Esquiline Hill whitened with white snow, delineating a precise area on which the Basilica was later built.
Each year this prodigious event is re-enacted through a solemn Celebration, during which a delicate shower of white petals descends from the ceiling evoking the miracle that occurred sixteen centuries ago.
Being a Marian shrine, the Rosary is par excellence the prayer that rises from the hearts and lips of the faithful to the Virgin Mary. It is the prayer loved by the saints and encouraged by the Magisterium of the Church. It is the prayer with a Christological heart, as St. John Paul II reminds us in his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae.
Most Holy Mary becomes the conduit for being able to be conformed to Christ, the privileged way to learn from Him to implore the gift of mercy and peace.
Pope Francis, in preparation for the Jubilee, has repeatedly urged that we live a year dedicated to discovering the great value and absolute need for prayer in our personal lives, in the life of the Church and in the world.
As an ecclesial Community of the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major, we could not fail to respond promptly to Pope Francis’ heartfelt invitation, through also the initiative proposed by the Pan-Peopolitan Forum of Confraternities and supported by the Dicastery for Evangelization, the curators of the upcoming Jubilee, the World Rosary Day 2024 that will involve Communities of faithful scattered all over the world who, in a symbolic relay, will pray the Rosary on the same day and at the same time.
October 07 , 2024 @ 7:00 pm (Rome Time)
The prayer of the Rosary will be even more emphasized at this Papal Basilica every day of the month of October at 9 p.m., on the Churchyard, after the ringing of the bell known as the “lost,” where with the presence of different Church Communities we will invoke the protection of the Mother of God, in this Basilica venerated with the title of Salus Populi Romani.
To the Virgin Mary we entrust this moment of prayer and ask her to watch over the world.
Her presence is comfort and hope for peoples oppressed by injustice and war.
Let us ask Her to wipe away the tears of those who suffer.
Oh Mother, show us the way of conversion, for there is no peace without forgiveness and no forgiveness without repentance. Amen.
May the Lord bless you and may the Mother of God protect you always
✠ Rolandas Makrickas
Titular Archbishop of Tolentino
Coadjutor Archpriest”
