THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

[cappie]

The feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated each year on the eighth of September. Usually, it is the custom of the church to celebrate the feast day of a saint on the date of their death as this is truly their "die natalis", the day remembered as their birth into everlasting happiness. Mary, however, entered this world sinless through the privilege of the Immaculate Conception and is the firstborn of the redeemed.

 

Her nativity is a cause for great joy as it is considered the" dawn of our salvation" as Pope Paul VI wrote in the document, Marialis Cultus in 1972

 

It is generally believed that the date of September 8 was chosen to celebrate the Nativity of Mary since the civil year began in Constantinople on September 1. Scholars believe that this date was chosen since it was symbolic that the "beginning" of the work of salvation should be commemorated near to the beginning of the new year. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary was later fixed at December 8, nine months prior.

 

Mary's life serves as a powerful example of faith, humility, and obedience, which we can all learn from as we seek to deepen our relationship with God.

Of course Mary's birth was not ordinary, it was part of God's divine plan for the salvation of the world. Just as the prophets had foretold, she was born of the house of David, a young woman of unwavering faith, chosen by God to be the vessel through which His Son would enter the world. Mary's birth was a sign of God's providence and a glimpse into His extraordinary love for humanity.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Mary's life is her unwavering faith. From her response to the Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel when she said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38), to her steadfast presence at the foot of the cross, Mary's faith never wavered. On her birthday, we are reminded that faith is a precious gift from God that we should cherish and nurture in our own lives.

Mary's humility is another virtue we can learn from as we reflect on her life. Despite being chosen by God for a unique and extraordinary purpose, she never sought recognition or praise. Instead, she humbly accepted God's will for her life and became a willing servant of His plan. Today as we celebrate her birth, we can reflect on our own lives and ask ourselves if we are humble and open to God's will in the same way.

As we honour Mary's birth, we also acknowledge her role as our spiritual mother and intercessor. Just as Jesus entrusted her to the care of the beloved disciple (John 19:26-27), she cares for us with a mother's love. We can turn to Mary in times of trouble, seeking her prayers and guidance as we navigate the challenges of life.

In celebrating the birth of Mary, we celebrate the birth of hope and faith in our lives. Her life is a testament to God's extraordinary love and His willingness to use the humblest of instruments to accomplish His divine plan.

The entrance antiphon at Mass states: "Let us celebrate with joyful hearts the birth of the Virgin Mary, of whom was born the Sun of Justice, Christ our Lord." It is the themes of both the approach of light and joy  along with her unwavering faith, humility, and obedience, which  inspire us to deepen our relationship with God and to live lives that bring glory to Him after the example of Mary

 

 

 

 

[BarbTherese]

 

Thank you