Saint Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Saint Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Feast day: September 8

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Biography

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Nativity of Mary, Marymas or the Birth of the Virgin Mary, refers to a Christian feast day celebrating the birth of Mary, mother of Jesus. The modern Biblical canon does not record Mary's birth. The earliest known account of Mary's birth is found in the Gospel of James (5:2), an apocryphal text from the late second century, with her parents known as Saint Anne and Saint Joachim. In the case of saints, the Church commemorates their date of death, with Saint John the Baptist and the Virgin Mary as the few whose birth dates are commemorated. The reason for this is found in the singular mission each had in salvation history, but traditionally also because these alone were holy in their very birth (for Mary, see Immaculate Conception; John was sanctified in Saint Elizabeth's womb according to the traditional interpretation of Luke 1:15). Devotion to the innocence of Mary under this Marian title is widely celebrated in many cultures across the globe in various prayers and hymns such as the Novena in Honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Gospel of James, which was probably put into its final written form in the early second century, describes Mary's father Joachim as a wealthy member of one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. He and his wife Anne were deeply grieved by their childlessness. Some traditions place the birthplace of the Virgin Mary in Sepphoris, where a 5th-century basilica is excavated at the site. Some accounts speak of Nazareth and others say it was in a house near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem. It is possible that a wealthy man such as Joachim had a home in both Judea and Galilee. However, Charles Souvay, writing in the Catholic Encyclopedia, says that the idea that Joachim possessed large herds and flocks cannot be asserted with certainty, as the sources for this are "of very doubtful value." The earliest document commemorating Marymas comes from a hymn written in the sixth century.

Prayers

  • Novena for Our Lady's Nativity

    novena

    Most holy Mary, elect and predestined from all eternity by the most Holy Trinity to be Mother of the only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father, foretold by the Prophets, expected by the Patriarchs, desired by all nations, Sanctuary and living temple of the Holy Ghost, sun without stain, conceived free from original sin, Mistress of Heaven and of Earth, Queen of Angels: humbly prostrate at thy feet we give thee our homage, rejoicing that the year has brought round again the memory of thy most happy Nativity; and we pray thee with all our hearts to vouchsafe in thy goodness now to come down again and be reborn spiritually in our souls, that, led captive by thy loveliness and sweetness, they may ever live united to thy most sweet and loving heart. So now whilst we salute thee nine times, we will direct our thoughts to the nine months which thou didst pass enclosed in thy mother's womb; and we will devoutly say: We hail thee, O Mary, who tracing thy descent from the royal house of David, didst come forth to the light of Heaven with high honour from the womb of holy Anna, thy most happy mother. Ave Maria. We hail thee, heavenly babe, white dove of purity; who in spite of the serpent wast conceived free from original sin. Ave Maria. We hail thee, bright morn; who, forerunner of the heavenly Sun of Justice, didst bring the first light to earth. Ave Maria. We hail thee, Elect; who, like the untarnished Sun, didst burst forth in the dark night of sin. Ave Maria. We hail thee, beauteous Moon; who didst shed light upon a world wrapped in the thickest darkness of paganism. Ave Maria. We hail thee, dread warrior-child; who, in thyself a host, didst put to flight all hell. Ave Maria. We hail thee, fair soul of Mary; who from eternity wast possessed by God. Ave Maria. We hail thee, dear child, and we humbly venerate thy most holy infant body, the sacred swaddling clothes wherewith they bound thee, the sacred crib wherein they laid thee, and we bless the hour and the day when thou wast born. Ave Maria. We hail thee, much beloved infant, adorned with every virtue immeasurably above all saints, and therefore worthy Mother of the Saviour of the world; who, having been made fruitful by the Holy Spirit, didst bring forth the Word Incarnate. Ave Maria. Let us pray. O most lovely infant, who by thy holy birth hast comforted the world, made glad the Heavens, struck terror into hell, brought help to the fallen, consolation to the sad, salvation to the weak, joy to all men living; we entreat thee, with the most fervent love and gratitude, to be spiritually reborn in our souls by means of thy most holy love; renew our spirit in thy service, rekindle in our hearts the fire of charity, bid all virtues blossom there, that so we may find more and more favour in thy gracious eyes. Mary! be thou our Mary, and may we feel the saving power of thy sweetest name; may it ever be our comfort to call on that name in all our troubles; may it be our hope in dangers, our shield in temptation, and our last utterance in death. Let the name of Mary be honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, joy in the heart. Amen. Here follows the Litany of the Blessed Virgin. Then say: V. The Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God. R. Hath brought joy to the whole world. Let us pray. Grant to us thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gift of heavenly grace; that to all those for whom the delivery of the Blessed Virgin was the beginning of salvation, this her votive festival may give increase of peace.

    — The Raccolta, 1910 edition, pp. 182–185 (199. Five Novenas for the Principal Feasts of Our Lady — II. Novena for Our Lady's Nativity)

Patronages

Sources: Wikipedia (22). Wikipedia content used under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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