THE BIRTHDAY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

 *Friday, September 8, 2023* 


 *THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Feast)* 


First Reading. Micah 5: 2-5 or Romans 8: 28-30

Psalm. 13: 5, 6 (R. Isaiah 61:10a)

Gospel. Matthew 1: 1-16, 18-23


TOPIC FOR REFLECTION



 *THE BIRTHDAY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY* 


The birthday of Mary is one of the three birthdays celebrated in the Church's Liturgical Calendar namely, 


The Birthday of Jesus, December, 25th

The Birthday of Mary, September 8th

The Birthday of John the Baptist, June 24th.


All three were born without original sin, although Mary and Jesus were conceived without sin, and St. John was cleansed of original sin while in the womb of his mother during the Visitation of Mary.


So, the Catholic Church celebrates today the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary on its traditional fixed date of September 8, nine months after the December 8th celebration of her Immaculate Conception as the child of Saints Joachim and Anne.

(The Catholic Telegram online)


Today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew, affirms that in fulfilment of the Old Testament prophesies, Jesus was born in the house of David. Mary is part of this royal household and she will be the mother of the King. The Letter of Paul to the Romans tells us that Jesus descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God with the power of the Holy Spirit. As affirmed in the Scriptures, the Blessed Virgin Mary was a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus. And as indicated in the teachings of the Church Mary remained a virgin throughout and she was taken up to Heaven at the end of her earthly life. Mary’s virginity speaks for itself. Created as a new creation, the Second Eve, Mary was immaculate from the moment of her conception. Mary was created holy, gave birth to the Son of God in holiness, lived a holy life in the Presence of the Lord God, and was taken to Heaven in the fullness of her holiness. Truly, she shall be called blessed in every generation.

(Personal blog of Fr. Eugene Lobo, S.J.)


The role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the history of our salvation can never be overemphasized. 

Below are the MAJOR solemnities, feasts, and memorials of Mary in the Church among others.


*January 1: Mary, the Holy Mother of God

*February 2: Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the presentation of Jesus in the temple.

*March 25: The Annunciation of the Lord

*May 31: The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

*Monday after Pentecost: The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

*9 days after Corpus Christi: The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

*August 15: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

*August 22: The Queenship of Mary, her coronation in heaven.

*September 8: The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary also known as Mary's birthday

*September 15: Our Lady of Sorrows

*October 7: Our Lady of the Rosary

*November 21: The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

*December 8: The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary


Therefore, in celebrating Mary's birthday, we celebrate her personality, simplicity, virtuous heroic life, and holiness, 


So, we should celebrate her birthday as we celebrate our birthday and the birthday of those who are dear to us.

Let us take it that Mother Mary is our mother.  In truth, she is our mother and it’s worth celebrating her birthday in the same way that we would celebrate anyone’s birthday who is a member of our family. Our honouring of Mary today is a way of solidifying our bond with Her and Jesus with the assurance that we desire both she and Jesus to be an important part of our lives.  


 *HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLESSED VIRGIN MARY* 


 *Peace ✌️ be with you.* 


 *Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS.* 

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