The Birth Of The Blessed Virgin Mary

September 8

We do not usually celebrate the birthdays of the saints. Instead we celebrate the day they died, because that is the day they were born into the joys of heaven.

The birthday of Mary, our Blessed Mother, is special. We celebrate her birthday because she came into this world full of grace and because she was to be the Mother of Jesus.

The birth of Our Lady was like a new dawn for all of us. When the sky starts to turn a pretty rosy pink early in the morning, we know the sun will soon rise.

In this same way, when Mary was born, she brought great happiness to the world. Her birth meant that soon Jesus, the Son of God, would be born! Mary was the special and wonderful human who was chosen to bring the Lord Jesus to all people.

When we are close to Mary, we have Jesus. Whoever is very faithful to her is very close to the heart of Jesus because she always leads us to Him.

Mary, Our Queen

August 22

After a very Holy life and death, our Blessed Mother was assumed into Heaven, body and soul. She was crowned Queen of Heaven and the Saints by Jesus her Son. All the virtues the Saints practiced are found and seen in her.

We should do something special to show our Blessed Mother that we love her. If you have a garden and flowers you can place some flowers at the foot of a statue of her at home or in church, and perhaps say the Rosary with your family.

I pray to you in these words:

Hail Mary, full of grace!

The Lord is with you

blessed are you among women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus,

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.