By Vatican News
Tradition and devotion intertwine in the “homage” or veneration paid to the Blessed Virgin Mary, on the occasion of the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated each year on Dec 8.
Each year, representatives of the city and various religious and civic organisations pray and offer flowers at the statue of the Virgin in Piazza Mignanelli, near the famous Spanish Steps in the heart of Rome. This year, Pope Leo XIV will take part in the traditional act of devotion, following in the footsteps of his predecessors, including Benedict XVI and St John Paul II.
Last year, on Dec 8 2024, it was Pope Francis who prayed at the feet of Mary and entrusted to her the upcoming Jubilee, “a message of hope for humanity tried by crises and wars.” Now, just a few weeks before the conclusion of the Holy Year, Pope Leo returns to the feet of Our Lady.
Pope Leo’s visit
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Vicariate of Rome announced that, as is tradition, the first to leave flowers at the statue of the Immaculate Conception will be the fire brigade, who, at 7 a.m., will climb to the top to place their wreath of flowers on the Virgin’s arm.
In the afternoon, at 4 p.m., the Pope will arrive and be welcomed by the Cardinal Vicar of the Diocese of Rome, Baldo Reina, and Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri. He will pause in prayer at the foot of the 12-metre-high column, at the top of which stands the statue of Our Lady, and leave a wreath of flowers.
The Solemnity will feature a series of events throughout the day: at 8:30 a.m., the Vatican Gendarmerie band will perform a hymn to the Madonna; then the parish of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte, the Sovereign Order of Malta, the Legio Mariae, the Circolo S. Pietro, the Don Gnocchi Foundation, Unitalsi, and various educational institutions will perform.
At 9 a.m., in the church of Trinità dei Monti, there will be Mass, presided over by Monsignor Francesco Pesce, diocesan representative for social and labour pastoral care, with workers from several Roman companies.
A novena to Mary
The Conventual Friars Minor (Franciscans) of the Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles will also be hosting various events throughout the day. Among other things, the church hosts the oldest novena to the Immaculate Conception in Rome: from Nov 29 to Dec 7, every day at 5:45 pm, the Rosary in the Church, followed by the singing of various litanies; then, at 6.30 pm, Mass is introduced by the singing of “Tota Pulchra”, composed by the Conventual Franciscan Alessandro Borroni.
Each day of the novena will see a different Cardinal presiding over the main Mass in the Basilica. – Vatican News
