Living Catholicism: Observe Mary's Birthday as a Family

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September 7, 2007

Observe Mary's Birthday as a Family

Did you know that the Church's calendar observes the birthdays of only two saints? I recently discovered that the nativity of St. John the Baptist is celebrated on June 24 and the nativity of Mother Mary is celebrated on September 8. We observe the birth of St. John the Baptist because he is considered especially sanctified even before his birth, as his birth is foretold and he leapt in Elizabeth's womb when Mary approached her in the Gospel of Luke.

The birth of Mother Mary was miraculous. Chosen as the vessel to carry God-in-the-flesh, she had to be born without sin, and we celebrate her Immaculate Conception on December 8. It follows naturally then, that we celebrate her birth nine months later on September 8! The earliest document that commemorates this feast comes from the sixth century, when St. Romanus composed a hymn for it. The feast possibly began in Syria or Palestine after the Council of Ephesus, which affirmed Mary as "Theotokos", the Mother of God, and the veneration of her as such was greatly intensified.

We should celebrate Mary's birthday to honor her as the Queen Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. This observance also helps us anticipate Jesus' Incarnation and birth. The web-site "Women for Faith and Family" offers several good suggestions on how a family can observe the Feast of the Birth of Mary. These include saying special prayers, decorating your family Marian statue, baking a birthday cake in her honor, and others. Check it out to see if they can help your family's devotion to the Blessed Virgin. Whatever you do, give thanks for Mary and her 'yes' to God's will.

God bless,
Daniel

Posted by jay at September 7, 2007 8:17 AM