Mass of the Americas | Solemn Pontifical Mass - Cardinal Burke and Archbishop Cordileone

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 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.