Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major

Here are some details on the Basilica of St. Mary Major taken from Wikipedia:

- known in Italian as Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
- one of the four major or four papal basilicas, which, together with St. Lawrence outside the Walls, were formerly referred to as the five "patriarchal basilicas" of Rome, associated with the five ancient patriarchal sees of Christendom
- the name of the basilica reflects two ideas of greatness ("major")- that of a major (or papal) basilica and that of the largest (major) church in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary

The rest can be read at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_di_Santa_Maria_Maggiore.