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"Salus Populi Romani"! Today the new Bishop of Rome crosses the threshold of the Marian temple of the Eternal City, conscious of the struggle between good and evil, which pervades every man's heart, which takes place in the history of mankind and also in the soul of the "Roman people".
 – Pope Saint John Paul II, Homily in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major on December 8, 1978 ( Full Text, here.)

 
This homily – worthy reading in its entirety – from  Pope Saint John Paul II reveals both his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and his humility in accepting the sacred office of the Bishop of Rome.  On this Saturday of the Third Week of Lent, I write to you again to encourage your devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, in these strange times.  It seems to me, that these days call us in a profound way to be renewed as a people of prayer.  This is the reoccurring invitation of the Lord in every trial and challenge – illness, natural disaster, unexplainable tragedy, persecution, etc. – to deepen our trust in God through our life of prayer; it is our prayer, our relationship with Almighty God, that informs and inspires the rest of our life as Catholic Christians.  In the way of prayer we, of course, have the Lord Jesus who so perfectly teaches us the value and importance of prayer, to be in communion with God, throughout His Public Ministry, as well as the exhortations given in the Word of God by the words and actions of the Prophets, Evangelists, and Apostles.  Yet, we cannot ignore the privileged place in Salvation History of Mary, the Mother of God, as we seek to renew and deepen our trust in God.  Our Blessed Mother is a great example, close companion, and powerful intercessor as we seek to be a people of prayer! 
 
Salus Populi Romani – Ora Pro Nobis!
 
This Latin phrase means: “Salvation (or health) of the People of Rome – Pray for Us!” It is an invocation for the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, under a most unique title. The Blessed Mother is known under many titles often from popular devotion, given from the saints and apparitions, and inspired by dogmatic revelation and Church teachings.  The title ‘Salvation of the People of Rome’ is one of many names for the Mother of God and it is associated with the beautiful icon currently in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome (I have included the image above in this blog post).  Currently this icon is in a side chapel, just to the left of the large free-standing altar above the relic of the wood of the creche… obviously the current coronavirus outbreak has travel to Italy on hold, but if you are able to visit Rome don’t miss the chance to pray (especially the Rosary) before this inspiring image in such an incredibly beautiful basilica.  You would be most familiar with this chapel and icon from the photos of Pope Francis visiting and praying before this icon throughout his pontificate.  Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, clearly has a special devotion to this image of Our Lady as he has visited it dozens and dozens of times in the past few years – in fact it was to this icon that he visited the day after his election to be the 266 ^th Pope (an article on Pope Francis’ devotion to this icon can be found here) and it is to this icon that he returns to offer a thanksgiving after his international trips.  In recent days, Pope Francis stopped to pray before this image for an end to the coronavirus pandemic, crippling Italy and sweeping across the globe (an article on this devotion is here).
 
Our Heritage of Faith
 
As Roman Catholics we are spiritually close to our ancestors in the Christian Faith of Rome.  We often think of this as our closeness to Saint Peter, and all of the Popes, as well as to Saint Paul and the Roman Martyrs.  Our heritage of faith is built upon Rome, the eternal city and place of so many martyrs.  It is important for us to remember that the foundation of Church involved horrifically violent persecution and many difficult challenges.  As Tertullian said so clearly, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”  The harvest, from this seed of martyrdom, has yielded a profound devotion to Mary: the ever-Virgin Mother of God.  The early Christians in Rome turned to Our Lady, the Mother of God, in every trial as their sure companion in trials and sure intercessor to Christ our Savior.  In a special way this ancient title reminds us of the blessings received through the devotion of the People of Rome to Mary in every suffering.  In these days, strange as they are, we would do well to rekindle our devotion to Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, through this title so close to the hearts of our Roman Catholic foundation.
 
A Pilgrimage to Rome
 
On a more personal note, I was able to lead a wonderful parish pilgrimage to Italy in November.  By the Providence of God, it was before the floods and coronavirus outbreak.  We visited and prayed at many holy sites and shrines.  Beginning at the Basilica of Saint Mark in Venice and with stops at the Shrine of Saint Anthony of Padua (known simply as ‘the saint’ to many Italians), the Church of the Holy Cross in Florence, Assisi – with the incredible basilicas of Saint Francis and Saint Claire – and concluding in Rome, among its many highlights a Holy Mass at the tomb of Pope Saint John Paul II.  It was a trip filled with grace, a wonderful blessing!  Our pilgrimage program was full, there is so much to see, and it was exhausting.  The time we had planned to stop at Saint Mary Major as a group was unique, as we were entering the Basilica it was clear something significant was happening because the church was filled!!!  It was the beginning of a Pilgrimage Mass with hundreds of people and the procession included dozens of priests and bishops.  It was impressive to see such a large crowd in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, but with so many people and Holy Mass beginning we were not able to visit the site.  Having visited before, I knew it was a great place for prayer and a most beautiful church – so between stops in our final days I returned twice, each time to venerate the relic of the creche and to pray with the Salus Populi Romani.  On the last day of our pilgrimage I was even late for the evening meal, because I rushed to get a taxi and pray the Rosary one last time before the icon of Salus Populi Romani (fortunately the pilgrims were very forgiving – well into their first plate when I arrived – and were not upset at my being tardy for dinner!)… needless to say, this image and title of Our Lady is very special to me.

 
The Rosary!
 

Okay, a final encouragement… in these strange days, let us join ourselves with the whole Church and our legacy as Roman Catholics, turn to the Blessed Virgin during times of suffering, uncertainty, and confusion.  Please, pray your Rosary each day during our restrictions due to the coronavirus – there is even a recent indulgence for making this act of prayer… more on that later.  ( Here is helpful resource on praying the Rosary, obviously there are lots of guides that was just one suggestion.)
 
Pray the Rosary each day for a swift end to this public health crises and all who are sick and suffering; pray for all leaders, medical professionals, those who serve the common good, and vulnerable persons during these challenging days.  Let us entrust ourselves and all of our petitions to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.