The Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major

Optional memorial

Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

The Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, rebuilt after the Council of Ephesus (431), is the oldest church in the West dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

On Saturdays in Ordinary Time without an obligatory memorial, the Church may honor the Blessed Virgin Mary (optional memorial).

Readings of the day

Joyful Mysteries

Second Mystery: The Visitation

“She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”Luke 1:42

Mary hastens into the hill country to serve her kinswoman Elizabeth. At Mary’s greeting the infant John leaps for joy in Elizabeth’s womb, and Mary sings her song of praise, the Magnificat.

Fruit of the mystery: Love of neighbor

Hail, Holy Queen

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile, show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

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A notification each morning with the day’s mysteries, a mystery to meditate on with its scripture, and a short prayer. Free, no account.

This day’s five mysteries (Joyful Mysteries)

The Annunciation
The Visitation
The Nativity
The Presentation
The Finding in the Temple

Coming up

The Transfiguration of the LordSun, Aug 6 · Feast
Saint Lawrence, Deacon and MartyrThu, Aug 10 · Feast
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryTue, Aug 15 · Solemnity
The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin MaryTue, Aug 22 · Memorial
Saint Bartholomew, ApostleThu, Aug 24 · Feast

✝ Pray the full Rosary

Liturgical calendar for the dioceses of the USA (General Roman Calendar and U.S. proper), checked against the USCCB liturgical calendar. Readings: citations from the U.S. Lectionary for Mass, text from the Douay-Rheims Bible (public domain).

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