Simple Ways to Celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
September 8th is the day the Church celebrates the birth of Our Blessed Mother! Since the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8th, this date is exactly 9 months later. Simple ways to celebrate this feast are:
- Attend Mass
- Pray the Divine Office
- Pray a Rosary (since her birthday is on a Monday, the Joyful Mysteries can be prayed since these are usually prayed on Monday)
- Visit a statue of Mary at your parish and say a prayer
- Plant or display flowers near a Mary statue in your home or garden
- Have a simple birthday cake for Mary. Blue icing or blue decorations on the cake would be appropriate since Mary is often seen wearing blue!
From Butler’s Lives of the Saints:
The birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary announced joy and the near approach of salvation to the lost world. Mary was brought forth in the world not like other children of Adam, infected with the loathsome contagion of sin, but pure, holy, beautiful, and glorious, adorned with all the most precious graces which became her who was chosen to be the Mother of God.
She appeared indeed in the weak state of our mortality; but in the eyes of Heaven she already transcended the highest seraph in purity, brightness, and the richest ornaments of grace. If we celebrate the birthdays of the great ones of this earth, how ought we to rejoice in that of the Virgin Mary, presenting to God the best homage of our praises and thanksgiving for the great mercies He has shown in her, imploring her mediation with her Son in our behalf!
Christ will not reject the supplications of His mother, whom He was pleased to obey whilst on earth. Her love, care, and tenderness for Him, the title and qualities which she bears, the charity and graces with which she is adorned, and the crown of glory with which she is honored, must incline Him readily to receive her recommendations and petitions.
Gospel Reflection
In today’s Gospel, we will hear what the angel of the Lord told St. Joseph in a dream (Matthew 1:21-23):
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.”
Mary’s birth would eventually lead to Mary’s “yes!” What a beautiful truth to remember, reflect upon, and celebrate on this day!
Reflect: How has God asked you to say “yes” lately? Has He asked you to do something big or difficult? Has He asked you to do something important but small?
Read about more ways to honor Our Blessed Mother here.
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