Solemn Pontifical Mass with Cardinal Burke and Archbishop Cordileone
Our Lady of the Snows
On August 5th, the Universal Church celebrates the Solemnity of Our Lady of the Snows, commemorating the miraculous dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. In the year 358, Our Lady appeared in a dream to Pope Liberius, instructing him to build a basilica on the Esquiline Hill. Miraculously, snow fell on this site in midsummer, outlining the precise location for this sacred edifice. Today, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major stands as one of Rome’s four major basilicas and is honored worldwide on this significant date.
Affiliation with the Pope’s Basilica
Due to the special affiliation granted by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin, shares a profound affiliation bond with the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. Through this privileged connection, the Shrine not only celebrates the Solemnity of Our Lady of the Snows but also extends to pilgrims the opportunity to gain a Plenary Indulgence, connecting the faithful spiritually to the heart of Rome.
Archbishop Cordileone
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco will serve as the Principal Celebrant of this solemn liturgy. A renowned advocate for sacred liturgy and music, Archbishop Cordileone brings a depth of devotion and reverence to this year’s Solemn Pontifical Mass, celebrated according to the Usus Antiquior of the Roman Rite—commonly referred to as the Traditional Latin Mass or TLM.
Mass of the Americas
Musically, the Mass will be highlighted by the extraordinary “Mass of the Americas,” composed by Frank La Rocca. La Rocca, Composer-in-Residence at the Benedict XVI Institute for Sacred Music and Divine Worship, is known and respected for his blending of classical sacred music traditions with the rich cultural heritage of the Americas. His “Mass of the Americas” masterfully integrates Gregorian chant with traditional Mexican melodies, such as “La Guadalupana,” creating a transcendent musical expression of unity and devotion that honors Our Lady under her many beloved titles across the continent.
The “Mass of the Americas” debuted in 2018 in San Francisco and has since captivated audiences nationwide, praised widely for its beauty, solemnity, and spiritual power. This liturgical and musical masterpiece will provide an ideal framework for this year’s Solemnity of Our Lady of the Snows, elevating hearts and minds toward the divine.
Join Us!
All are warmly invited to join this profound celebration on August 5th at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is a rare opportunity not only to participate in a historically and spiritually significant liturgy but also to experience the transcendent beauty of sacred music under the direction of its distinguished composer. May this solemn celebration deepen our devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, drawing us closer to her Son through the timeless splendor of the Church’s sacred traditions.
