Today we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s is one of three birthdays that the Church celebrates on her liturgical calendar. The other two are: the Nativity of Our Lord and the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.
The Virgin’s birth occurs nine months after the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (December 8). In some European countries there are special social celebrations around September 8 since it marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall. Here are a couple of examples:
- In the Old Roman Ritual there is a blessing of the summer harvest and fall planting seeds for this day.
- Wine growers in France call this feast “Our Lady of the Grape Harvest”. The best grapes are brought to the local church and areblessed. Some bunches are attached to hands of the statue of Mary.
A significant historical event occurred on September 8, 1565. On this date, the Great Siege of Malta ended and the Ottomans were defeated and driven from Malta. The people of the Senglea Peninsula erected a church in honor of the Virgin’s birth to serve as a memorial of that great victory over the Ottoman Empire.
Every year on September 8, a statue of Our Lady of Victory leaves her church and is processed through the streets of Senglea. The day ends with fireworks and festivities. Here’s a video showing a past parade.
On a more reverent and prayerful note, the following words from Sunday Reflections captures the essence of this joyful Marian feast day:
Mary was created holy, gave birth to the Son of God in holiness, lived a holy life in the Presence of the Lord God and was taken to Heaven in the fullness of her holiness. Truly, she shall be blessed every generation.
