Feast of the Dedication of St. Mary Major
Mass for Baltimore WYD Group
Lisbon, Portugal
August 5, 2023
Introduction
Before departing for any international trip, such as World Youth Day, Pope Francis journeys to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major where he prays before an image of Our Lady known as “Salus Romani Populi”. Not only does he ask the Blessed Mother to intercede for himself as he undertakes these arduous pastoral journeys, he also prays that the Blessed Mother would intercede for those he encounters on these visits.
Today the Church celebrates the dedication of Saint Mary Major in Rome, one of the principal basilicas in Rome and the first to be dedicated to Our Lady. The original structure dates to around 435 but, of course, what stands today is of later construction – and if you have ever been there, you know how beautiful it is. The icon of Mary, Salus Romani Populi, is in side-chapel, if I dare call it that, the Borghese Chapel, which is an incredibly ornate place. And in the midst of baroque splendor, is a simple icon, first welcomed to Rome by Pope Saint Gregory the Great in 590, an image of Mary holding the Child Jesus and looking out with love upon everyone who comes to pray in that very special place. No one is more devoted to Mary, Salus Populi Romani, than Pope Francis.
The words “Maria, Salus Romani Populi” can be translated as “Mary, the health or well-being of the Roman People” – and by extension, Mary the health and well-being of all of us who are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mary who loved Christ beyond all telling, loves us with a warm maternal love. And in her motherly love, she wants for us only what is best – she wants us to encounter – to know and love – her Son Jesus and to follow in his footsteps – for nothing assures our spiritual health and well-being more than having a vibrant, loving relationship with the Lord Jesus.
Herodias
In the Gospel just read, we met Herodias, who led her daughter astray. Herod would have given this young woman anything she wanted, but when she asked her mother what to ask for, Herodias told her to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. This request was made out vengeance and ill-will, and led to the death, not only of an innocent man, but a prophet, and more than a prophet, the forerunner of the Messiah.
The world we live in today is not unlike that. It has become increasingly angry and vengeful. And often we are urged to seek, not justice but vengeance, against any and everyone whom we think has harmed us. How people have their heads severed – not with a sword, but electronically! In her love for us, Mary calls us to something better – actually Someone better.
Mary Leads Us to Christ
Mary knows that our joy, our well-being, and the fruitfulness of our lives lies in our knowing, loving, and encountering her Son Jesus. When we ask Mary for what we need, just as the Pope does, she leads us to Jesus and open our eyes to the gifts he wants to give us. Sometimes, our prayers are answered, just as we may wish. Other times, our prayers are answered in ways we don’t easily see. When we turn to Mary whose own life was upended in ways she never imagined, she always leads us to Jesus and helps us to encounter Christ, not in the ideal circumstances we like to imagine, but sometimes in the problems we wrestle with – whatever they may be.
For Mary is above all the Mother of God, the Mother of the Savior, but she is also the first and best disciple of her Son, Jesus. And she invites us to open our hearts to receive her Son, so that we may follow him and come to be like him in our lives. Almost always it means that we will be put to the test or that our lives will take an unexpected turn, or at the very least we will be led out of our comfort zone.
In the end, Mary know that our happiness and well-being consists in sharing the life of her Son – to such a degree that we become like him – poor in spirit, meek and humble of heart, pure in heart, saddened by sin, willing to suffer for our faith, beloved in the eyes of the heavenly Father.
A Time of Grace
World Youth Day is an extraordinary event. You are encountering Christ, not alone, but alone with millions of young people. As you walk through the streets of Lisbon, you realize that you are not alone, that there are many young people in the world who love the Lord and the Church, and practice their faith, and I hope you will draw from these days new encouragement and zeal.
I also hope you will experience the maternal love of Mary, who leads you to Christ and whose prayers support you as you endeavor to follow Christ in company with one another and with young people throughout the world.
Mary, Salus Populi Romani, pray for us!