The Nativity of the Virgin Mary

"The Birth of the Virgin Mary"

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Happy birthday dear blessed Mother!

At the time of Mary's birth the whole world was plunged in darkness. The heathen nations were steeped in vice and pride. The Jews too, had corrupted their ways and departed from God. Everywhere there was sin and gloom, scarce any bright spot on the face of the earth. But when Mary was born a light arose amid the darkness: the dawn of the glorious day that was to usher in the Redeemer. So, too, the darkness of the sinner's soul is dispersed by Mary's holy influence. Where the love of her is born in the soul, all becomes full of light, and Jesus comes to make His habitation there. Mary, in the first hour of her life, brought more glory to God than all the Saints of the Old Testament. In her were made perfect the obedience of Abraham, the chastity of Joseph, the patience of Job, the meekness of Moses, the prudence of Josue. It is because she is the model and pattern of these and all other virtues that she can communicate them to us.

Bestow upon Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gift of Thy heavenly grace:  that as the childbearing of the Blessed Virgin was the beginning of our salvation, so the solemn feast of her Nativity may bring us an increase of peace.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth..."

Source:  The New Marian Missal for Daily Mass by Sylvester P. Juergens, S. M.


The Davidic ancestry of Mary

Novena to Maria Bambina Starts Tomorrow

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Mahalo to Louise for sharing.

Novena Prayers Maria Bambina    

1.             Holy Child Mary, of the Royal house if David, Queen of the Angels, Mother of grace and love, I greet you

with all my heart. Obtain for me that I may love the Lord faithfully during all the days of my life. Obtain for     

me, too, a great devotion towards Thee, who art the first creature of God's love.     Hail Mary....

2.             O heavenly Child Mary, who, like a pure dove, was born Immaculate and beautiful, my soul rejoices before    

Thee, true prodigy of the wisdom of Good! O! do help me to preserve the angelic virtue of purity at the cost

of any sacrifice.   Hail Mary....

3.             Hail, lovely and holy Child, spiritual garden of delight, where, on the day of the Incarnation, the tree of Life    

was planted, assist me to avoid the poisonous fruit of the vanity and the pleasures of the world. Help me to

engraft into mu sould the thoughts, feelings and virtues of Thy divine Son.   Hail Mary....

4.             Hail, admirable Child Mary, closed garden, open only to the heavenly Spouse. O! lily of paradise, make me  

love the humble and hidden life; let the heavenly Spouse find the gate of my heart always open to the loving

calls of his graces and his inspirations. Hail Mary...

5.             Holy Child Mary. mustical dawn, happy gate of heavenm You are my trust and hope.  O powerful Advocate, from

thy little cradle, stretch your hand, support me in the path of life. Make me serve God with ardour and constancy

until death, and so reach an eternal crown.  Hail Mary....

Let us pray:

            Sweet Child Mary, who, being Mother of God, have also become our beloved Queen and Mother, for the numberless graces You have obtained for us, listen to my humble prayers. All my hope is upon You, in all the needs which surround me.

            Holy Child, by the merits and privileges which have been given only to You, be merciful towards me. Show that the source of the spiritual treasure You give out is inexhaustible. For the profusion of graces Almighty God has given You, O heavenly Child grant my prayer and I will praise Your goodness forever.

I M P R I M A T U R

In Curia Archiep. Mediolani 

31 August 1931

Can. CAVEZZALI, Pro Vic. Gen

Brief History of Maria Bambina

(Holy Child Mary)

The Miraculous Image of Maria Bambina was made before

1730 by a Franciscan num who afterwards entrusted Her to

others during the ensuing years so that eventually She came

into the care of the Sisters of Charity at Lovere, Italy.

In 1866 these Sisters of Charity were requested to take over

the management of the hospital of Ciceri in Milan and in 1876

the waxen image was carried to their Mother House there

at Via S. Sofia 13, where She has remained ever since. All this

time this stature was exposed for veneration only on the 8th of

September, the Feast of Mary's Nativity, but in 1884 Maria

Bambina wanted to reward those who had devotion to her.

Due to paralysi in her arms and feet, Sr. Josephine Woinovich was

bedridden and in unbearable pain. On the day of September 8th

she begged Mother General to get Maria Bambina and leave the

Image near her overnight. The following morning the Mother

General was inspired to take the Image, so old, worn and grayish

colored to the other sick sisters in the infirmary so they could kiss

Her. Here there was a good novice, Giulia Macario, who was

unable to move because of her serious illness, but who, overcome

by her ardent faith, took the Image into her arms and pleaded with

Her in tender and loving words for the grace of her recovery. She

was immediately and miraculously cured, for such faith moves

mountains. And at the same time this Image itself underwent an

amazing transformation from the former dull gray color to the warm

flesh hues it has today, as can be seen, where She is enshrined in the

Sanctuary of the Mother House in Milan.

Many graces and miracles have come from devotion to the Maria

Bambina among them the recovery of Sr. Josephine Woinovich herself.

And that is why now these Sisters are commonly know as the Sisters

of Maria Bambina.

Imprimatur: In Curia Arch. Mediolani

die 14-1 - 1967

+Theresius Ferraroni

Litany in Honor of the Holy Infancy of the Blessed Virgin 

Lord, have mercy on us,...........................................................Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us,.........................................................Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us,...........................................................Lord, have mercy on us.

Infant Jesus, hear us,...............................................................Have mercy on us.

Infant Jesus, graciously hear us,...............................................Have mercy on us.

God the Father of heaven,.........................................................Have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the World,........................................Have mercy on us.

God the Holy Ghost,.................................................................Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God,...............................................................Have mercy on us.

Holy Infant Mary,......................................................................Pray for us.

Infant Daughter of the Father,.....................................................Pray for us.

Infant, Mother of the Son,..........................................................Pray for us.

Infant, Spouse of the Holy Ghost,...............................................Pray for us.

Infant, Sanctuary of the Holy Trinity,...........................................Pray for us.

Infant, fruit of the prayers of thy parents,.....................................Pray for us.

Infant, riches of thy father,.........................................................Pray for us.

Infant, delight of thy mother,......................................................Pray for us.

Infant, honor of thy father,..........................................................Pray for us.

Infant, honor of thy mother,........................................................Pray for us.

Infant, miracle of nature,............................................................Pray for us.

Infant, prodigy of grace,.............................................................Pray for us.

Immaculate in thy Conception,...................................................Pray for us.

Most holy in thy Nativity,...........................................................Pray for us.

Most devout in thy Presentation,................................................Pray for us.

Masterpiece of God's grace,......................................................Pray for us.

Aurora of the Sun of Justice,.....................................................Pray for us.

Beginning of our joy,.................................................................Pray for us.

End of our evils,.......................................................................Pray for us.

Infant, joy of earth,....................................................................Pray for us.

Infant, joy of heaven,.................................................................Pray for us.

Pattern of our charity,...............................................................Pray for us.

Model of our humility,...............................................................Pray for us.

Infant, most powerful,................................................................Pray for us.

Infant, most mild,......................................................................Pray for us.

Infant, most pure,......................................................................Pray for us.

Infant, most obedient,................................................................Pray for us.

Infant, most poor,......................................................................Pray for us.

Infant, most meek,....................................................................Pray for us.

Infant, most amiable,.................................................................Pray for us.

Infant, most admirable,..............................................................Pray for us.

Infant, incomparable,.................................................................Pray for us.

Infant, health of the sick,...........................................................Pray for us.

Comfortess of the afflicted,........................................................Pray for us.

Refuge of Sinners,....................................................................Pray for us.

Hope of Christians,...................................................................Pray for us.

Lady of the Angels,..................................................................Pray for us.

Daughter of the Patriarchs,.......................................................Pray for us.

Desire of the Prophets,.............................................................Pray for us.

Mistress of the Apostles,..........................................................Pray for us.

Strength of Martyrs,.................................................................Pray for us.

Glory of the Priesthood,............................................................Pray for us.

Joy of Confessors,...................................................................Pray for us.

Purity of Virgins,......................................................................Pray for us.

Queen of all Saints,.................................................................Pray for us.

Infant, our Mother,...................................................................Pray for us.

Infant, Queen of our hearts,......................................................Pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,.................Spare us, Infant Jesus.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,.................Graciously hear us, Infant Jesus.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,.................Have mercy on us, Infant Jesus.

Infant Jesus,............................................................................Hear us.

Infant Jesus,............................................................................Graciously hear us.

LET US PRAY

O almighty and merciful God, Who through the cooperation of the Holy Ghost, didst prepare the body and soul of the Immaculate Infant Mary that she might be the worthy Mother of Thy Son, and didst preserve her from all stain, grant that we who venerate with all our hearts her most holy childhood, may be freed, through her merits and intercession, from all uncleanness of mind and body, and be able to imitate her perfect humility, obedience and charity. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Picture source

The following apocryphal text is from The Birth of Mary, Glorious Mother of Jesus Christ, according to the Book of James, or Protevangelium. Source: The Book of Mary by Henri Daniel-Rops, Hawthorne Books, Inc., NY.

"...And he remembered the patriarch Abraham, how in the last days God gave him a son, even Isaac. And Ioachim (Joachim) was sore grieved, and showed not himself to his wife, but betook himself into the wilderness, and pitched his tent there, and fasted forty days and forty nights..."

"Now his wife Anna lamented with two lamentations, and wewailed herself with two bewailings, saying: I will bewail my widowhood, and I will bewail my childlessness..."

"...And behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, saying unto her: Anna, Anna, the Lord hath hearkened unto thy prayer and thou shalt conceive and bear, and thy seed shall be spoken of in the whole world. And, Anna said: As the Lord my God liveth, if I bring forth either male or female, I will bring it for a gift unto the Lord my God, and it shall be ministering unto him all the days of its life...."

"...an angel of the Lord came down unto him sayings: Ioacim, Ioacim, the Lord God hath hearkened unto thy prayer. Get thee down hence, for behold thy wife Anna shall conceive..."

"...And her months were fulfilled, and in the ninth month Anna brought forth. And she said unto the midwife: What have I brought forth? And she said: A female. And Anna said: My soul is magnified this day, and she laid herself down. And when the days were fulfilled, Anna purified herself and gave suck to the child and called her name Mary..."

O Ever Sweet and Blessed Mother, on the day we remember and honor your birth, please bestow on us, your flawed children, a great love and devotion to you, as the Mother of Our Blessed Lord, Jesus Christ and our mother.

May we ever follow your loving example to be sweet, kind, gentle, loving and silent, especially when suffering comes our way.

Happy birthday dear Mother! We love you.

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

El Nacimiento de la Virgen by Juan Pantoja de la Cruz

Picture Source Idle Speculations. Thanks Terry!

It is typical in the Church to celebrate a saint's death-day instead of the saint's birthday, for "the Church always argued that it was premature to celebrate a birthday because the rest of the life of the person born on that day was subject to su ch ambiguity" (Pope Benedict XVI). The birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary is an exquisite exception since "her soul was the space from which God was able to gain access into humanity" (Pope Benedict XVI). "Today God welcomes on earth the holy throne which he had prepared for himself. He who established the heavens in wisdom has fashioned a living heaven" (Byzantine Liturgy).

From The Magnificat September 8th reading, Vol. 12 No. 7

Litany in Honor of the Holy Infancy of

The Blessed Virgin by St. John Eudes

Lord, have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us, Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.

Infant Jesus, hear us, Have mercy on us.

Infant Jesus, graciously hear us, Have mercy on us.

God the Father of heaven, Have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the World, Have mercy on us.

God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.

Holy Infant Mary, Pray for us.

Infant Daughter of the Father, Pray for us.

Infant, Mother of the Son, Pray for us.

Infant, Spouse of the Holy Ghost, Pray for us.

Infant, fruit of the prayers of thy parents, Pray for us.

Infant, Sanctuary of the Holy Trinity, Pray for us.

Infant, riches of thy father, Pray for us.

Infant, delight of thy mother, Pray for us.

Infant, honor of thy father, Pray for us.

Infant, honor of thy mother, Pray for us.

Infant, miracle of nature, Pray for us.

Infant, prodigy of grace, Pray for us.

Immaculate in thy Conception, Pray for us.

Most holy in thy Nativity, Pray for us.

Most devout in thy Presentation, Pray for us.

Masterpiece of God's grace, Pray for us.

Aurora of the Sun of Justice, Pray for us.

Beginning of our joy, Pray for us.

End of our evils, Pray for us.

Infant, joy of earth, Pray for us.

Pattern of our charity, Pray for us.

Model of our humility, Pray for us.

Infant, most powerful, Pray for us.

Infant, most mild, Pray for us.

Infant, most pure, Pray for us.

Infant, most obedient, Pray for us.

Infant, most poor, Pray for us.

Infant, most meek, Pray for us.

Infant, most amiable, Pray for us.

Infant, most admirable, Pray for us.

Infant, incomparable, Pray for us.

Infant, health of the sick, Pray for us.

Comfortess of the afflicted, Pray for us.

Refuge of Sinners, Pray for us.

Hope of Christians, Pray for us.

Lady of the Angels, Pray for us.

Daughter of the Patriarchs, Pray for us.

Desire of the Prophets, Pray for us.

Mistress of the Apostles, Pray for us.

Strength of Martyrs, Pray for us.

Glory of the Priesthood, Pray for us.

Joy of Confessors, Pray for us.

Purity of Virgins, Pray for us.

Queen of all Saints, Pray for us.

Infant, our Mother, Pray for us.

Infant, Queen of our hearts, Pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, Infant Jesus.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, Infant Jesus.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us, Infant Jesus.

Infant Jesus, Hear us.

Infant Jesus, Graciously hear us.

O almighty and merciful God, Who through the cooperation of the Holy Ghost, didst prepare the body and soul of the Immaculate Infant Mary that she might be the worthy Mother of Thy Son, and didst preserve her from all stain, grant that we who venerate with all our hearts her most holy childhood, may be freed, through her merits and intercession, from all uncleanness of mind and body, and be able to imitate her perfect humility, obedience and charity. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Prayer Source

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR BLESSED MOTHER

Photo Source: Internet

The Spiritual Tradition Regarding Mary's Birth

Sacred Scripture does not record Mary's birth. The earliest known writing regarding Mary's birth is found in the Protoevangelium of James (5:2), which is an apocryphal writing from the late 2nd century. What matters is not the historicity of the account, but the significance of Mary's and of every person's birth. In Mary's case, the early Church grew more and more interested in the circumstances surrounding the origin of Christ. Discussion about Mary throws light on the discussion about the identity of Jesus Christ.

The Church usually celebrates the passing of a person, that is, the person's entry into eternal life. Besides the birth of Christ, the Christian liturgy celebrates only two other birthdays: that of St. John the Baptizer and of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. It is not the individual greatness of these saints that the Church celebrates, but their role in salvation history, a role directly connected to the Redeemer's own coming into the world.


Mary's birth lies at the confluence of the two Testaments--bringing to an end the stage of expectation and the promises and inaugurating the new times of grace and salvation in Jesus Christ. Mary, the Daughter of Zion and ideal personification of Israel, is the last and most worthy representative of the People of the Old Covenant but at the same time she is "the hope and the dawn of the whole world." With her, the elevated Daughter of Zion, after a long expectation of the promises, the times are fulfilled and a new economy is established. (Lumen Gentium 55)

The birth of Mary is ordained in particular toward her mission as Mother of the Savior. Her existence is indissolubly connected with that of Christ: it partakes of a unique plan of predestination and grace. God's mysterious plan regarding the Incarnation of the Word embraces also the Virgin who is His Mother. In this way, the Birth of Mary is inserted at the very heart of the History of Salvation. (M. Valentini, Dictionary of Mary, pp. 36-7.)

On This Day, O Beautiful Mother

Refrain:
On this day, O Beautiful Mother!
On this day we give thee our love;
Near thee, Madonna, fondly we hover,
trusting thy gentle care to prove.

On this day we ask to share, dearest Mother,
thy sweet care;
Aid us e'er, our feet astray, wandering from
thy guiding way.

Queen of Angels, deign to hear, thy dear
children's humble pray'r;
Young hearts gain, O Virgin pure, sweetly
to thyself allure.