Today we celebrate one of the most significant birthdays in the history of the world! Certainly, the only birthday more important is that of our divine Lord Himself. But today we honor His mother, and our mother, too.
The Nativity of the Mother of God, also known as the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is a significant feast in the Christian calendar, celebrated by both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches on September 8.
According to tradition, the parents of the Virgin Mary, Joachim and Anne, were advanced in age and childless, which was considered a sign of divine disfavor. After much prayer and fasting, the angel Gabriel announced to them that they would have a child who would be a “vessel chosen by God”. The birth of the Virgin Mary is seen as a miracle and a sign of divine intervention.
In Catholic theology, the Virgin Mary is considered free from original sin from the moment of her conception, a dogma known as the Immaculate Conception. This emphasizes Mary’s purity and holiness, preparing her for her role as the Mother of God.
The Nativity of the Mother of God is a feast of great importance in the Catholic religion, symbolizing the beginning of salvation and the preparation for the coming of Christ. It is a moment of joy and gratitude, reflecting on the essential role of the Virgin Mary in the history of salvation.
Reflect, today, upon the glorious celebration of the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. Begin by trying to rejoice in her life through her eyes. Try to imagine what she saw as she looked into her own graced soul. From there, try to rejoice, also, in your soul. Be grateful for all that God has done for you. Work to have eyes that see these countless graces and allow yourself to rejoice in God’s blessings with our Blessed Mother.
My dearest Mother, happy birthday! Today I rejoice in the incredible gift that God gave to you in your Immaculate Conception and birth into our world. I pray that I may honor you in a fitting way this day and to especially understand more clearly the beauty of your graced soul. Pray for me that I may also rejoice in the countless graces bestowed upon me by our merciful God. I love you, dear Mother. Precious Jesus, through the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I trust in You!
