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The Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome announces a month-long devotion program featuring Rosary recitations, Lectio Mariae, and the Akathist hymn.
Newsroom (01/05/2026 Gaudium Press) The Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the final resting place of Pope Francis, has unveiled an ambitious month-long initiative designed to nurture the faithful’s devotion to the Virgin Mary. The program, titled “A Month with Mary,” presents a series of spiritual activities and traditional religious observances that will transform May into a period of heightened Marian contemplation at one of Rome’s most significant ecclesiastical sites.
The initiative represents the basilica’s commitment to fostering a deeper connection between the faithful and Mary, the Mother of God. Throughout May, the basilica will offer multiple opportunities for prayer, reflection, and spiritual growth, culminating in a public act of consecration presided over by a high-ranking Vatican official.
Opening Observance: The Rosary in the Atrium
The program commences on the evening of Friday, May 1st, with the recitation of the Rosary in the basilica’s atrium. This inaugural event will be presided over by Monsignor Luis Manuel Herrera, vicar of the archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. The prayer service will reach a broad audience through live broadcast via Telepace, a Catholic broadcasting network, as well as through the basilica’s official social media channels, extending the event’s spiritual impact beyond those physically present in Rome.
The choice to begin the month with the Rosary—one of Catholicism’s most cherished devotions—sets the spiritual tone for the entire program. The Rosary, which has been central to Catholic prayer tradition for centuries, invites contemplation of the mysteries of faith while honoring Mary’s unique role in salvation history.
Lectio Mariae: Scripture and Song
On Tuesday, May 19th at 7:00 p.m. Rome time, the basilica will host the second meeting of Lectio Mariae, a program developed in collaboration with the Cortile dei Gentili Foundation. This particular session will focus on “The Song of Mary,” exploring the scriptural and spiritual dimensions of Mary’s praises and role in the Christian narrative.
Lectio Mariae combines scholarly reflection on sacred texts with spiritual formation, representing a modern approach to deepening understanding of Mary’s significance within the framework of Catholic theology and devotional practice. The collaboration with the Cortile dei Gentili Foundation, an organization dedicated to dialogue between the Church and secular culture, underscores the basilica’s intention to present Marian devotion in a context of contemporary intellectual engagement.
Daily Rosary Devotions
Complementing the larger events, the basilica invites the faithful to participate in daily Rosary recitations at two specific times. At 11:30 a.m., the rosary will be recited in the Chapel of the Crucifix, while a second recitation will take place at 5:00 p.m. in the Pauline Chapel. These regularly scheduled opportunities allow both local pilgrims and visiting devotees to participate in traditional Marian prayer within the basilica’s sacred spaces.
Eucharistic Celebration at the Holy Cradle
May 25: Eucharist at the Holy Cradle
On Monday, May 25th, the basilica will celebrate the Eucharist at a location of profound theological significance: the chapel containing a reliquary with fragments of wood traditionally identified with the Holy Cradle—the manger in which Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
This sacred celebration connects the mysteries of Christ’s nativity and incarnation with the redemptive sacrifice of the Eucharist, embodying the theological continuity between Mary’s role as mother and the Church’s understanding of Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promise to humanity.
The Ancient Akathist Hymn
On Saturday, May 30th at 9:00 p.m., the basilica will present a recitation of the Akathist hymn, one of Christianity’s most venerable liturgical compositions. This ancient hymn of praise to the Virgin Mary dates back to the fifth century, placing it among the oldest recorded Marian prayers in the Christian tradition.
The Akathist’s structure reflects the theological sophistication of early Christian devotion. The hymn comprises twenty-four stanzas, with each stanza corresponding to a successive letter of the Greek alphabet. This acrostic arrangement served both mnemonic and pedagogical purposes, allowing worshippers to commit the text to memory while providing systematic coverage of Marian themes.
The first twelve stanzas narrate the mystery of the Incarnation, employing abundant poetic imagery to explore the theological paradoxes of God becoming human and dwelling among creation. The remaining twelve stanzas focus on Mary’s participation in humanity’s redemption and restoration through the mysteries of Christ. This two-part structure allows the prayer to encompass both the joyful announcement to Mary and the redemptive fruits of her assent to God’s will.
Floral Tribute and Public Witness
Throughout the month, floral decorations will adorn the steps of Esquilino Square, adjacent to the basilica. This visible, public manifestation of Marian devotion testifies to the Church’s reverence for the Virgin Mary and provides a beautiful reminder to the faithful and to Rome’s residents of the centrality of Mary to Catholic spirituality and practice.
Culminating Act of Consecration
May 31: Formal Consecration to the Virgin Mary
Date and Time: Sunday, May 31st at 9:00 p.m. (Rome time)
Presiding Official: Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar General of the Diocese of Rome
The month concludes with a solemn act of consecration to the Virgin Mary, following the evening recitation of the Rosary. This formal consecration, presided over by one of the highest ecclesiastical officials in Rome, represents a communal recommitment by the faithful to Mary’s spiritual motherhood and her intercessory role in the life of the Church.
The act of consecration carries profound spiritual significance in Catholic tradition. Participants pledge themselves to Mary’s care and invoke her protection and guidance in their spiritual lives. Coming at the culmination of a month of intensive devotion, the consecration represents the fruition of deepened Marian consciousness and commitment.
Spiritual Significance and Context
May holds particular significance in the Catholic liturgical calendar as the month traditionally dedicated to Mary. The “A Month with Mary” program at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major amplifies this ancient tradition through contemporary offerings while maintaining continuity with centuries of Catholic devotional practice.
The basilica’s initiative demonstrates the Church’s ongoing commitment to Marian spirituality at a time of considerable intellectual and spiritual interest in Mary’s role within Christian theology and practice. By offering both traditional devotions and contemporary scholarly engagement, the basilica addresses the needs of diverse expressions of Catholic faith.
For visitors to Rome and the faithful worldwide following the events through digital platforms, “A Month with Mary” presents an opportunity to participate in a spiritual program rooted in the life of the universal Church. The Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, as the final resting place of Pope Francis, serves as a focal point for this intensified devotion, connecting personal prayer and contemplation to the broader mission of the Church.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACI Digital
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