September 8, The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Giotto, in the Scrovegni Chapel Padua, Italy (circa 1305)

Happy Birthday, Mama Mary!

September 8 is the Feast of the Nativity of The Blessed Virgin Mary, it is the day in which the Blessed Virgin Mary was born!  

Here are a few interesting facts about this day:
 
God chose His temple, His mother.
Saint Andrew of Crete explains “the day on which the Creator of the world constructed His temple; today is the day on which by a stupendous project a creature becomes the preferred dwelling of the Creator."*
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Date of the Nativity.
The Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been assigned to September 8 for centuries.  Mostly since the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is nine months prior, on December 8. 

The Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary
While there is nothing in the Gospels which mentions the birth of the Virgin Mary, she was the vessel which God chose to bring Christ to life.  Therefore, “God's mysterious plan regarding the incarnation of the Word embraces also the Virgin who is His Mother.  In this way, the Birth of Mary is inserted at the very heart of the History of Salvation.”*

Like Jesus, The Blessed Virgin Mary was born without original sin.
One of the four Marian Dogmas of the Roman Catholic Church state that Mary of Nazareth was “conceived without original sin” and that “from the first instant of her conception, she was totally preserved from the stain of original sin and she remained pure from all personal sin throughout her life.”

The Blessed Virgin Mary’s parents are Saints, too.
Saints Joachim and Anne are the Patron Saints of Grandparents.  While there is little historical facts known about them, they are part of “generations who faithfully perform their duties, practice their faith, and establish an atmosphere for the coming of the Messiah, but remain obscure.”*

Why do we celebrate The Blessed Virgin Mary’s birthday?
Do you or have you celebrated your own mother’s birthday?  I know that I do!  I also hope that my son and all my future children celebrate my birthday.  Without my mother, I wouldn’t be here and without me, my son wouldn’t be here.  Not only did Jesus come from the Blessed Virgin Mary (and God through the Holy Spirit) but Jesus also instructed us to love His Mother as our own mother. 

But Feast Days are usually on the day of Saints passing
While the Feast Days of the Saints are typically celebrated when they die and enter the Kingdom of Heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary, along with John the Baptist and of course, Jesus Christ Himself, are also celebrated on the dates of their birth.  One reason is because they are all born without original sin.

A Prayer for the Nativity of The Blessed Virgin Mary:

O Virgin immaculate, thou who by a singular privilege of grace was preserved from original sin, look in pity upon our separated brethren, who are nevertheless thy children, and call them back to the center of unity. Not a few of them, although separated from the Church, have kept a certain veneration for thee; and do thou, generous as thou art, reward them for it, by obtaining for them the grace of conversion.
 
Thou was conqueror of the infernal serpent from the first instant of thy existence; renew even now, for it is now more necessary than ever before, thine ancient triumphs; glorify thy divine Son, bring back to Him the sheep that have strayed from the one fold and place them once more under the guidance of the universal Shepherd who holds the place of thy Son on earth; let it be thy glory, O Virgin who destroyest all heresies, to restore unity and peace once more to all the Christian people.
 
Today, my family and I are going to celebrate the Nativity of The Blessed Virgin Mary with cupcakes and candles at dinner.  How are you going to celebrate The Blessed Virgin Mary’s birthday?  Share with us on Facebook.
 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAMA MARY!  We love you!
 
As always, thank you for reading.  God bless you and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
 
 
Sources:

1. Valentini , A., and “Dictionary of Mary”, Catholic Book Publishing Company, NY: Catholic Book, 1985. “Birth of Mary”, www.ewtn.com/library/mary/marybrth.htm.
2. Hunt, Michal. “THE FOUR DOGMAS OF THE VIRGIN MARY”, Agape Bible, 8 Dec. 2000, www.agapebiblestudy.com/documents/The%20Four%20Marian%20Dogmas.htm.
3. Richert, Scott P. “How Could Someone Be Born Without Original Sin?” ThoughtCo, 27 May 2017, www.thoughtco.com/who-was-born-without-original-sin-542138.
4. Richert, Scott P. “What Is the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary?” ThoughtCo, 30 Aug. 2016, www.thoughtco.com/nativity-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-542466.
   
5. Miller, OFM Fr. Don. “Saints Joachim and Anne.” Franciscan Media, 20 June 2017, www.franciscanmedia.org/saints-joachim-and-anne/.

 
 
 


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