When Is Virgin Mary Birthday?
According to Catholic tradition, the Virgin Mary’s birthday is celebrated on September 8th, known as the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This date is exactly nine months after the celebration of the Immaculate Conception of Mary on December 8th. The birth of Mary holds great significance in Christian tradition as it marks the beginning of the era of grace and salvation in Jesus Christ.
While the exact date of Mary’s birth is not recorded in the Bible, early Christian writings and traditions provide insights into the circumstances surrounding her birth. Catholics and Orthodox believers also celebrate the births of Jesus and John the Baptist, as all three were born without Original Sin.
Join us as we delve into the story of Mary’s birth, the significance of the Nativity of Mary, and how it aligns with Christian tradition.
The Story of Mary’s Birth
According to the Protoevangelium of James, a Christian writing from the early second century, Mary’s parents were Saints Joachim and Anne. The couple had been childless for a long time, and their deep prayer and fasting mirrored the faith of Abraham and Sarah in the Old Testament.
An angel appeared to Anne and prophesied that she would conceive and give birth to a child who would be honored in all generations. After Mary’s birth, her parents held a great feast and invited priests, scribes, and the elders of Israel. The priests blessed Mary and recognized her special holiness.
The Protoevangelium goes on to describe how Mary was consecrated to God as a perpetual Virgin and eventually entered into a chaste marriage with Joseph, the carpenter.
Significance of the Nativity of Mary
The Nativity of Mary holds a significant place in the confluence of the two Testaments – the Old Testament and the New Testament. It marks the transition from the stage of expectation and promises to the era of grace and salvation through Jesus Christ. Mary’s birth, as the Mother of the Savior, is intricately connected to God’s plan for the Incarnation of the Word.
Seen as a divine event, the Nativity of Mary brings about a profound change in human nature inherited from our first parents. Saint Augustine, a well-known theologian, emphasized the cosmic and historic significance of Mary’s birth. It heralded the birth of Jesus Christ, the culmination of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.
The celebration of the Nativity of Mary serves to remind us of the unique role she played in God’s plan for our salvation. Through her predestination and grace, Mary became the Mother of the Savior, bringing forth the grace and mercy of God to all mankind. Her birth represents the beginning of the new era of grace, where humanity finds hope, redemption, and salvation in Jesus Christ.
