Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

On September 8, the Catholic Church celebrates the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The feast day comes nine months after the celebration of Mary's immaculate conception (December 8).

The circumstances of Mary's birth or childhood are not included in the Bible, but tradition has it that she was the daughter of Saints Anne and Joachim and was born in Jerusalem. Although we don't know anything about her childhood, we can trust that her parents raised her to love and serve God, evidenced by the faith and trust she placed in him when the Angel Gabriel appeared to her to let her know she would give birth to Jesus. 

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of only three birthdays the Church celebrates, the others being those of St. John the Baptist and Jesus.

Celebrations

Oquossoc

A Mass in celebration of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be held on September 8 at 8:30 a.m. in the grotto outside Our Lady of the Lakes Church, 39 Rangeley Avenue in Oquossoc.

Presque Isle

The Parish of the Precious Blood will celebrate the feast on September 8 with a Mass at 4 p.m. at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 333 Main Street in Presque Isle, followed by a dinner in the Knights of Columbus Hall, located behind the church.

Resources

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Catholic News Agency / External Link)

Origins of the Feast Day (Vatican News / External Link)

Pope Francis Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary (External Link)