Lifetime memories

August 5th is the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. 

One of my favorite photos from my family’s trip to Rome 5 years ago is one showing my 6-year-old granddaughter Lily praying at the high altar upon which the reliquary containing relics of the crib of Jesus’ Nativity is displayed in the Basilica of St. Mary Major. 

The relics were probably brought to Rome from the Holy Land during the pontificate of Pope Theodore (640-649), who was a native of Palestine, and who was well aware of the dangers of plunder and pillage to which they were exposed at the hands of several bands of marauders.

The relics of the crib in the reliquary consist of five pieces of board that was which were found to be taken from a sycamore tree of which there are several varieties in the Holy Land.  After an intense investigation carried out by Church authorities, it was determined that these pieces of wood were merely supports for the manger itself, which was probably made from the soft limestone of which the cave where they were found was formed.

Another unforgettable memory of the Basilica for me is of the Mass I was able to attend at the urging and insistence of my family.  We had spent about 45 minutes or so roaming around the Basilica and were making our way out, when we heard men singing what I first thought was a Gregorian chant.  Then we saw that it was several priests and a deacon and a couple of acolytes processing towards one of the side chapels where Mass was about to begin.  This is when my family urged me strongly to stay and attend the Mass: “Dad, you may never get the chance again!”  I couldn't pass it up!  It was obviously in Italian, but there were plenty of hymns with familiar tunes that I knew the English words to also.  I was able to pick up a word or two here and there during the homily that made it clear to me that this Mass was being celebrated to wish a bon voyage to the celebrating priest who was being assigned elsewhere.  My impression was that he was being reassigned to an entirely different country, but I couldn't catch exactly where.  He also spent time thanking each of the other priests and the deacon present for helping him with his studies.  I was left with a certain feeling that this was his first Mass since being ordained the day before.  After the Mass, many of the other attendees, who I assumed were his family and friends were invited up to wish him well.  It was so moving for me that I cried for about 1/2 an hour after the Mass ended.  I feel so blessed to have witnessed such an important milestone in his life, even though I had never seen him before or since.  I pray that he’s doing well in his ministry.

It wasn’t until we got home that I found out the side chapel where I participated in that Mass is the same chapel that Pope Francis visits before he travels anywhere!  It is his custom to pray before the “Salus Populi Romani”, one of the oldest Marian images in existence, traditionally attributed to St. Luke.  And it hangs above the altar in the chapel where I prayed that day.

According to tradition St. Luke was an extremely talented young man. He not only wrote a Gospel account and the Acts of the Apostles, he was also a Greek physician and an artist.

He is held by the Eastern Church as the original “iconographer,” responsible for writing the first icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Many painters throughout the centuries have depicted this scene by placing St. Luke in front of an easel, painting a portrait of the Blessed Mother holding the Child Jesus.

Knowing that I prayed in front of an icon possibly painted by Luke himself somehow makes my experience that much more memorable.