Pilgrims Honor Mary in St. Peter’s Basilica

On Wednesdays during the month of May, pilgrims can gather in St. Peter’s Basilica for a prayer service honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Prayer for Mary takes place in St. Peter's Basilica on May 11.
Prayer for Mary takes place in St. Peter's Basilica on May 11. (photo: Daniel Ibanez / CNA)

On Wednesdays during the month of May, pilgrims can gather in St. Peter’s Basilica for a prayer service honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On May 11, the prayer began at the entrance of the basilica, in front of the holy door, and was followed by a procession through the basilica, stopping at images of the Virgin Mary.

The Marian artistic works in the basilica include Michelangelo’s sculpture of the Pietà, the ancient image of Mater Ecclesiae (Mother of the Church), a small painting of Mater Peregrinorum (Pilgrim’s Mother), and large mosaics of the Assumption of Mary Into Heaven and the Presentation of Mary. 

Marian prayer service May 11 2022
The prayer service highlighted Marian images and ended with Mass.(Photo: Daniel Ibanez)


Mass at the altar of the Chair of St. Peter concluded the prayer service.

An image of the Sacred Heart in the Church of the Jesu in Rome

Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Next week, the Bishops of the United States will meet in Orlando and consecrate America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This week on Register Radio we are joined by Bishop Kevin Rhoades to explain the importance of the consecration and how we can all take part and then Register senior writer Zelda Caldwell tells us about the remarkable phenomenon of diocesan priests living in community.