Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary

September 8

The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today, Holy Mother Church celebrates the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, conceived without sin, and born into the world this day, that she might become the Mother of God, giving birth to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

In celebrating this Feast, Christians begin to anticipate the coming of Christ's own Nativity, as we observe those mysterious events that led up to the Mystery of the Incarnation!

"The present Feast forms a link between the New and the Old Testament. It shows that Truth succeeds symbols and figures and that the New Covenant replaces the Old. Hence, all creation sings with joy, exults, and participates in the joy of this day.... This is, in fact, 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." (St. Andrew of Crete)

The Divine Office this morning presents to us the following hymn in honor of the Feast:

Thy birth, O Virgin Mother of God,
heralded joy to all the world.
For from thou hast risen the Sun of justice,
Christ our God.

Destroying the curse, He gave blessing;
and damning death, He bestowed on us
life everlasting.

Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
For from thou hast risen of Sun of justice,
Christ our God.

May Our Lady, whose birth we celebrate this day, continue to watch over her children and, by her prayers, win for us the grace of God in our lives to know, love, and do the will of our Heavenly Father!

O Mary, conceived without sin, Pray for us who have recourse unto thee!