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.

Parish Celebrations.

Parish of the Precious Blood, Caribou 

The Parish of the Precious Blood will celebrate the Feast Day with a gathering in the Knights of Columbus parking lot behind the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chuch on Main Street in Presque Isle. The celebration will begin at 2 p.m. with a meal at 3 p.m. There will be hamburgers and hotdogs, but please consider bringing a dish to share.

St. Peter the Fisherman Parish, Machias

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be celebrated by St. Peter the Fisherman Parish in Machias with its annual Birthday Brunch Potluck on Sunday, September 8, in the Holy Name Parish Hall, 44 Broadway Street in Machias. The brunch will begin at 9:30 a.m., following the 8:30 a.m. Mass. Parishioners are encouraged to bring brunch items to share at the potluck event.

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)