September 8th is the feast of “The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” In other words, it’s Mary’s birthday. This day, commemorated by the Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Churches, dates back to the 5th and 6th Centuries. Of course, we don’t know the actual date of Mary’s birthday. It could be September 16th (my birthday!) or even your birthday! It’s interesting to note, however, that September 8th is exactly 9 months after December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception–which marks Mary’s conception. Similarly, Christmas is exactly 9 months after the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25. Those dates make “sense”–at least biologically speaking.
But how are we to celebrate this feast? Some people (especially with small children) bake or buy a cake and sing happy birthday to Mary. Others make it a point to say a decade of the rosary or an entire rosary on this day. Still others attend Mass or take a few minutes to reflect on a scripture passage that shines a light on Mary: the Annunciation, the birth of Jesus, the finding in the temple, the wedding feast of Cana, or the crucifixion.
One of my favorite passages that refers to Mary occurred during Jesus’ public ministry (Lk. 11:27-28). One day, as Jesus was speaking to the crowds, a woman, being deeply moved by his words, cried out, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” She was really saying something like, “How blessed, good, and lucky is your mother to have a son like you!” But Jesus says to the woman, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it!” Jesus is not putting down his mother. He is raising her up! He was saying, Mary was blessed not simply because she bore Jesus physically into the world. But rather, she is blessed because of how she lived her entire life. She was a woman of great faith and trust in God. How else could she have said her “yes” to God’s incredible request of her? Mary listened to and spoke with God especially in her daily prayer. She pondered God’s word and applied it to the circumstances of her own life. Fr. Ronald Rolneiser says, Mary gave Jesus birth in the faith, the faith she lived “in the here of her everyday life!”
I have always loved what the British writer Caryll Houselander says in her book, The Mary Book. She writes:
“We shall not be asked to do more than the Mother of God;
we shall not be asked to become extraordinary or set apart…
What we shall be asked to give is our fesh and blood, our daily life–
our thoughts, our service to one another,
our affections and loves, our words, our intellect,
our waking, working, and sleeping,
our ordinary human joys and sorrows–to God.
To surrender all we are, as we are, to the Spirit of Love
in order that our lives may bear Christ into the world–
that is what we shall be asked.”
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us…
For reflection:
How did you first learn about Mary? Who told you about her?
Do you have a favorite image or picture of Mary? Would you like to tell us about it?
What do you admire or love about Mary?
If you have one question you could ask Mary, what would you ask her?
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PS: You are invited to our 64th annual Notre Dame Chicken B-B-Q & Boutique on Sunday, September 27. Where: on the campus of Notre Dame Cathedral Latin High School (NDCL), 13000 Auburn Road, Chardon, OH… When: noon til 5:00 PM… Dine in or take-out… handicapped accessible… boutique shopping, children’s activities, Country Kitchen, pies, ice cream, fellowship and fun! I will be in the “Book Nook” (in the cafeteria from noon until 3:00) with my books–all discounted and signed. Stop by and say hi. I’d love to meet you!
The Marian song I chose for today is “Breath of Heaven” sung here by Amy Grant. For me, it gives us a glimpse into what Mary’s prayer could have been like, especially in the first months of her pregnancy. She earnestly begs God, “Be with me!… Breath of Heaven, hold me together… lighten my darkness… Help me.” I think these words are akin to our own prayer at times when we face an unknown and daunting future… The images of Christmas in the video remind us that our Christmas celebration begins with a young woman who had the faith and courage to say “yes” to God’ s remarkable invitation to bear Jesus into our world.
PS: See Joyce’s comment below (it’s the third reader’s comment): Here is another video that shows a woman reciting the words of this song while signing the entire song. You might fnd it enriching!
I welcome your comments below!
44 Responses
I would ask…why doesnt paul’s mom get more credit…moses and davids mom…
Pat, Thank you for starting us off by raising a curious question! You remind us that the people and circumstances of our early years can have a major impact on our lives… Jesus seems to be aware of the great impact his mother’s lived faith had on his “formation.” He had profound admiration for her. Thanks for writing! Melannie
Good morning, Melannie…
Good morning, all…
Greetings from Italy! Where Mary is everywhere!
When my wife and I stood before the Pieta, our guide told us, among many other things, to look at Mary’s face. I t was a young face, suggesting to some that Mary was foreseeing the time she would be cradling Jesus in her arms, as she too would have her “heart pierced.”
But Mary’s Magnificat has taken on greater meaning in my life, especially her words: “He has torn the mighty from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.” Such brave words during a time of Roman occupation!
John, I hope you and Kerry are having a wonderful time in Italy! Yes, seeing the Pieta “in person” was a very moving moment for me too!… And I agree with you about the implications of those powerful of Mary’s magnificat. If she would stand up today and proclaim these radical and “brave words” in the public square of any country ruled by a tyrant, she could be arrested, hauled off to a detention center, and perhaps never seen again. Yes, Mary was a strong and insightful woman! … Melannie
Thank you again for this beautiful meditation. The first time I heard this amazing song, it was given to a very small group of us on a break at work. The young girl put the music on and signed it. It was breath taking. I will never forget it.
Joyce, Thank you for your description of your reaction to SEEING this song SIGNED. I went on line and found a video of a woman not only signing this song, but teaching her viewers to sign this song. I posted the link in my PS above to the her third video–the one which shows her reciting the words and signing the entire song. Thank you, Joyce, for enriching this reflection by your comment! Melannie
My favorite picture of Mary is a version of her as an older woman. I believe it is a photo of a sculpture. As an older woman myself, I can relate to this Mary better. I love the song.
Debbie, Yes, it’s sometimes good to have images of Mary as an older woman if we ourselves are older. One of my favorite contemporary paintings is called “The Mother” by Lynne Swindell. It shows Mary with the adult Jesus–which would make her only in her early 40’s–but she has a little gray hair by her temples. You can check it out online if you want. Thanks for commenting! Melannie
Thank you Melannie for sharing all the reflections and your favorite picture of Mary, I love that one too. My mother, Mary had a deep devotion to Mary and taught us the Hail Mary at a young age, I think before I even started school. Each of her 6 girls are named after Mary or some derivative. I love that song “Breath of Heaven” and could listen to it every day of Advent. Makes one ponder and wonder ourselves about the deep faith & trust of this young woman’s YES to God’s calling. And think about all that Mary endured throughout her life, quietly and faithfully. Today I will pray an extra Rosary in honor of Mary’s birthday.
Loretta, I remember your mother Mary with great love–and your dear Dad Joseph, the carpenter! They did a beautiful job raising all nine of their children. I’m lucky to be related to you, dear cousin! Thanks for writing. Melannie
My favorite image of Mary is Mary Undoer of Knots. We all need help at times with undoing the knots in our lives. My question to Mary (and Jesus too) is what was it like to be sinless when everyone around you is sinful…did you stand out as different from everyone?
Ken, I too like the image of Mary as “undoer of knots.” And I wonder how Mary and Jesus would answer your question. In the Gospels, Jesus’ fellow towns people did not see him as extraordinary–and they lived in the same town with him for years. Remember how they said, “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” Still, it’s a good question to raise… Thank you! Melannie
I would ask Mary how she was able to say “‘yes” to God when she conceived Jesus. What the future would bring was so uncertain!!
Kathleen, And Mary’s answer would probably give us help in saying “yes” to God in our own lives–with an uncertain and sometimes frightening future too. Thanks for writing! Melannie
My favorite picture or memory – was when I was 5 years old, I roomed with my 7 year old sister, Marie. On night she woke me up to show me something special. We saw the Virgin Mary in the moon. We still talk about this memory and how we DID see Mary. To this day a have a statue of Mary on my windowsill-as does Marie. I am much, much older, but this is special.
Christine, What a special experience you had! And something you shared with your sister. I think it’s beautiful that you both now have a statue of Mary on your window sills. Thank you for sharing your story! Melannie
Being that I am a Mary and my sister also has Mary as her first name, you might guess that Mary has been an important person in our lives. The month of May was always a special month of clebration at our church/school, ending with a procession to crown Mary as Queen of heaven and earth…..fond memories indeed!
My daughter’s birthday is tomorrow, which made it particularly important to me (not so much for her though).
And I have not heard the song before, but absolutley love it!
Besides all that, a couple of hours ago, I met with a spiritual directee (a special gal) who was sharing with me her dedication to Mary, which came about when her mother was dying of cancer…..asking Mary to be her surrogate mother upon her mom’s death. What beautiful timing this all is.
Thank you for this S. Melannie,
Mary N.
Mary, Happy nameday on Sept. 8! I’m sure other readers “our vintage can reember those May crownings. When the flowers in our yard were in bloom through the summer, we usually had a small vase of flowers by the large Mary statue (maybe about 30 inches tall) we had in our home. My mother still did this tradition when she was in her 80’s–only the flowers came from a local grocery store… And thank you for sharing your directee’s beautiful story at the end… Melannie
Hello, beautiful song. Happy birthday Mary! I believe my name is a version of Mary, and she has always held a special place in my heart.
Yes, Maureen, your name is a form of Mary. A few other forms are: Marie, Miriam, Mia, Mara Molly (and even Polly!), Maisie, Mamie, Masha (Russian), Myra, Mariah, Maliah… There are many more! Thank you for your comment! Melannie
Thank you much for sharing. We should extend a very happy birthday to out special lady! I love the painting. It is so comforting. She is so young. I think we, or at least I don’t think of her youth!
Lynn, I’m glad you like the painting of the youthful Mary too. the painting means so much because she was so young when she said her “yes” to God! Thank you for taking the time to write! Melannie
Each year I give a witness to the Junior Theology classes at Notre Dame – Cathedral Latin School and at the end I hand out a picture of Mary with those words from Caryll Houselander. It is a beautiful reflection on our connection to Mary’s gift of her life in love. Thanks for publishing it in your blog!
Emilia, Isn’t it wonderful how Houselander’s words, published in 1944, can still speak so clearly to all of us in 2026? I applaud you for not only “giving witness” in the Junior Theology classes at NDCL, but also giving them a picture of Mary and this quote to take with them. Thank you for sharng your story! Melannie
Dear Sr. Melannie,
You express in your blog what my heart is thinking. I printed the picture as I, too, am fond of the painting of Mary.along with the “prayer” from Caryll Houselander. Stephen Ray, a convert, author, has a beautiful way of describing our Blessed Mother Mary as a young jewish girl with brown eyes and the olive skin color of a Middle East woman unlike the many pictures and statues of Mary with golden blonde hair and light colored eyes. Thank you always for your sharing on our beloved holy Mother’s birthday.
Charlene, We have a tendency to turn Mary (and Jesus!) into fair-haired and light skinned people–more like ourselves (at least like many of us). Yes, she probably had the features of a Middle Eastern woman of first Century Palestine–and so did her son have the dark hair, brown eyes, and olive colored skin of his people… Thank you for reminding us… Melannie
Hello Sister Mellanie; I enjoy your blogs. I really liked the picture of Holy Mary that shows hoe really young she was when her journey as The Mother of God Started! Something special to me about Mary is that The Feast of The Immaculate Conception falls on the same day as my birthday; December 8th. Looking forward to your visit with The Knights Columbus on Oct. 3rd. I will try to get to the Chicken BBQ on Sept. 27
Laddie, Nice hearing from you. I too am looking forward to my visit to your parish in Rock Creek on October 3. And happy birthday on December 8th! Hope to see you at the Chicken BBQ! Melannie
I just love Mary our mother, I had prayed to her at one time in my life when I had left the church and thru my prayers to her , she brought me back to her Son. I an grateful.
Kathleen, What a beautiful story–that even when you left the church, you couldn’t leave Mary… So happy you came back! Melannie
In our adoration chapel of our parish we have a small statue of Mary being pregnant with her hands on her pregnant belly and she’s looking down to her hands.It’s always really intrigued me as we never really think of her looking like all of us who have carried children in pregnancy. That’s always been a special thing for me when I go to the chapel. I had a lot of learning about Mary in the wonderful Catholic school I attended for 12 years – taught by Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet. Thank you to them for the love of Mary I learned. And thank you, Sister Melannie, for this beautiful reminder of our MOTHER Mary. I love having a mother I can turn to at any time for any reason. Thank you to the Father for giving her to us and for her YES.
Patt, All women who have borne children (and I am not one of you) can identify with the pregnant Mary and with Mother Mary–in ways the rest of us can’t… What a treasure that is! I also really liked your sentence, “I love having a mother I can turn to at any time for any reason.” Beautifully said! Thank you, Patt! Melannie
While on pilgrimage in the Holy Land, I encountered my first representation of Mary as pregnant as displayed in a beautiful statue at Magdala outside the amazing Duc In Altum chapel. I went for a walk to the Sea of Galilee late in the evening and there she was glowing in the darkness. It was such a spiritual, powerful moment for me drawing me closer to Mary, an answer to my prayer.
Bonnie, Thank you for sharing with us your “spiritual, powerful moment” of intimacy with Mary! Sometimes we carry such moments through our entire lives, drawing strength from them far into the future! Melannie
Oh I love this Amy Grant song at Christmas time! Beautiful words we can speak to God any time we are troubled. Thank you, sr Melanie.
Marguerite, That’s one reason I love the words of this song so much too! I too have prayed through “many moonless nights… Hold me together… lighten my darkness… be with me now… Help me be strong.” And when I see or hear disturbing news, I pray in the plural: Hold us together… lighten our darkness… be with us now… help us be strong.” Thanks for your comment! Melannie
Your meditation and music really grabbed my heart today.
I celebrated all my sacraments in the Slovak parish of Nativity B. V. M. and became part of that parish’s Sodality. There I became close friends with an older girl who became my “spiritual” sister and (with her husband) became godparents to my 4 children. Our Blessed Mother has been our connection for 70 + years. My husband gave some form of her name to our 3 daughters.
As I’ve aged, I’ve talked with Mother Mary whenever I was facing a new life challenge. Mary, was having married love always this special for you? Mary, what did you do when baby Jesus kept you from getting a good night’s sleep? Was it hard for you too, to always worry about your Son’s safety? Did you have other family with you as you watched your Son suffer and die? Now I ask how she dwelt with old age and its challenges.
Yes! Mary is always with me pointing to Jesus and how He showed me to trust in Him.
Marge, I love your dialogs with Mother Mary throughout your life! They reveal a tender intimacy–and they make Mary a real human being! And your words “Mary is always pointing me to Jesus” summarizes Mary’s role in your life. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us! Melannie
Since my name is Mary, I have always felt close to Mary, Mother. When I was young probably in early elementary school, I had a nightmare. I remember coming downstairs to tell my Mom and she said say a Hail Mary and it helped. So now when I can’t seem to sleep or am thinking of something disturbing, I start the Rosary. Sometimes I finish it but many times I find it has helped me to settle and I fall asleep.
Thank you for the sign language version. My 9-year-old Granddaughter signs and uses a talker to communicate, I will have to share this with her. Bless you.
Mary, What a beautiful way your mother helped you to pray to Mary for help when you were distrubed by something or couldn’t sleep. It was a gift for your whole life… and I’m glad you’re sharing this song with your special granddaughter. Thank you for your words! Melannie
The picture you posted I have saved from the last time….it says something to my heart, even though I’m not quite sure all she’s saying. Thank you for sharing it again.
Patricia, I’m glad this painting of Mary says something to your heart–as it does to mine… Melannie
I was consecrated to the Blessed Mother. For the first 7 years o fly life I only wore Blue and white. Also, Our family had a deep devotion to Mary, especially my Mother. We prayed the Rosary regularly as a family also.
The song is my favorite by Amy Grant. I play it at the beginning of Advent to remember how it must have felt to be carrying a child begotten by God. It puts me in a deep, reverent mood.
Therese, How beautiful that your family had a deep devotion to Mary. And we both share a love for this song. How grateful I am to the artists–painters and song writers–who give us such art and music to nourish our spirituality… Thank you for your comment. Melannie