08/09/2025
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ซ๐ฒ
September 8
The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated on September 8, comes nine months after the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and is one of only three birthdays honored in the Churchโs liturgyโtogether with those of Jesus and John the Baptist. Though Scripture is silent about the details of her birth, early tradition preserved in the Protoevangelium of James tells of Saints Joachim and Anne, a childless couple who, after much prayer and fasting, were blessed with a daughter destined to be honored by all generations. An angel foretold that their child would be consecrated to God, and from her would come the Savior of the world.
The Church Fathers, including St. Augustine, saw Maryโs birth as a moment of cosmic importanceโa sign of hope and the beginning of salvation history. From infancy, she was regarded as holy, consecrated to God, and later entered a virginal marriage with Joseph. Her nativity marks the arrival of the pure and spotless dwelling prepared by God to bear His Son, making her the model of faith, obedience, and trust in the Lord.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, we gather in joy today, to celebrate Maryโs birth, a light on our way. Gifted with grace, she bore your divine plan, guide us through her example, as we strive to understand.
O Blessed Virgin, in your gentle embrace, help us to reflect your love and your grace. May your humble spirit inspire our hearts anew, as we seek to follow Christ, steadfast and true. Amen.
