Birthday of Mary

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Feast Day
September 8th

From a homily by Blessed Rabanus Maurus (Horn. XXVII: PL 110,54-55)

This day we have been longing for, beloved, this day of Mary ever virgin, Mary blessed and venerable, has come. Let our earth, made illustrious by the birth of this great Virgin, exult with great rejoicing. By her childbearing the nature of creatures was changed and their sin blotted out. For in her God's woeful sentence, In sorrow shall you bring forth children, was rescinded, since she gave birth to the Lord in joy. Eve mourned, Mary rejoiced; Eve bore tears in her womb, Mary joy; for Eve gave birth to a sinner, Mary to one who was guiltless. Moreover, Mary gave birth as a virgin, and after bearing her Son she remained a virgin.

Hail, full of grace, the angel said to her; the Lord is with you. He is with you in your heart, in your womb, and in the assistance and support he gives you. Rejoice, blessed Virgin: Christ the King has come from heaven into your womb. Blessed shall you be among women, for you have given birth to life for men and women alike. The mother of our race brought punishment upon the world; the mother of our Lord brought salvation to the world. Eve killed, Mary gave life, since she replaced dis­obedience by obedience. In joy, therefore, does Mary bring forth her Child, in gladness she embraces her Son, carrying him who carries her. Listen to her as she says: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed, because the Almighty has done great things for me.

Then, after the angel's prophecy of blessing, while the Virgin was silently asking herself what this greeting could mean, the heavenly messenger continued: Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found [auor with God. You will conceive and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. How can this be, she said, since I am a virgin? The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the angel answered, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the holy one to be born of you will be called the son of God. Then, without delay, the messenger returned and Christ entered his virginal bridal chamber.

Let us also rejoice on the special day of this great Virgin, who alone among women was found worthy to receive into her holy and chaste body, her virginal womb, the King whom neither the heavens, the earth, nor the sea can contain. May she lovingly intercede for us with her Son, who conducted her with great glory to his heavenly palace where she now lives and reigns with him for ever and ever. Amen.