Mary’s birthday is celebrated exactly 9 months after the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Why is Mary’s Birthday so Important?
Mary’s Birthday is one of only three that we celebrate during the liturgical year. The other two are John the Baptist and Jesus.
The story of Mary’s birth is somewhat familiar. Joachim and Anne were two holy people, married for many years without being able to conceive a child. But by remaining faithful to the Lord, they were rewarded by finally conceiving a baby- the little girl who would become the Blessed Mother. The story goes that the Angel Gabriel appeared both to Joachim and Anne separately, telling them the good news that they were pregnant. When Joachim and Anne found each other, they shared the news they already knew!!
The History of the Holyday
According to The Holyday Book by Francis X Weiser, the celebration of Mary’s Birthday most likely started around 457 by St. Romanus. He wrote a hymn in honor of Mary’s birthday, which brought it to the attention of the church in Greece. The story goes that Romanus did not have the greatest talent for singing. He was so upset about his inability to chant that Mary appeared to him and ordered him to eat a sacred scroll, which he did. The next night at night prayer, he sang beautifully, and the miracle spread to all his brothers. He is now known as St. Romanus, the Melodist! The idea of celebrating Mary’s birthday spread throughout Europe. It was a holy day of obligation until 1918!
How we got the day of September 8 is cloaked in tradition and mystery. A devout farmer had a dream that he went up to heaven and all of the angels were celebrating. When he asked what the festivities were for, they told him it was Mary’s birthday! The farmer told his bishop, and apparently that was all it took to make September 8 or 9 the birthday of the Blessed Mother. As sweet as that story is, the original date probably came from the Middle East. All of the Eastern churches celebrated Mary’s birthday around September 8
Traditions on Mary’s Birthday
In France, this is the day to harvest the best grapes and bring them to the church. This is called nachsommer, or after summer. The time for the fall crops to be planted and summer harvest planted, all of it to be blessed by the parish priest. The day is also called, “Our Lady of the Grape Harvest.”
In the Alps, ranchers bring their herds down from the summer pastures for safekeeping in the winter. The lead animals are festooned with flowers and wreaths, and the herders dress up for the occasion. In some places in Austria, on Drive-Down Day all of the milk
Ways to Celebrate!
We read Mary My Mother by Father Lawrence Lovasik and Catholic Traditions In The Home And Classrooms: 365 Days To Celebrate A Catholic Year
Say the Rosary together.
Have a white dinner in honor of Mary’s purity! White chili with chicken is always a nice dinner. Noodles with white sauce are also good!
Make a white cake with 20 candles, one for each decade of the Rosary, with all of the mysteries represented. Or make a rosary out of cupcakes around your table. That would be fun too – but a little more work!
Recite the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Say a special prayer today for couples suffering from infertility.
Sing some Marian Hymns!
[…] September 8: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary […]