September 8
Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The
Church has celebrated Mary's birth since at least the sixth century. A
September birth was chosen because the Eastern Church begins its Church
year with September. The September 8 date helped determine the date for
the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 (nine months
earlier).
Scripture does not give an account of Mary's birth. However, the apocryphal Protoevangelium of James
fills in the gap. This work has no historical value, but it does
reflect the development of Christian piety. According to this account,
Anna and Joachim are infertile but pray for a child. They receive the
promise of a child that will advance God's plan of salvation for the
world. Such a story (like many biblical counterparts) stresses the
special presence of God in Mary's life from the beginning.
St.
Augustine (August 28) connects Mary's birth with Jesus' saving work. He
tells the earth to rejoice and shine forth in the light of her birth.
"She is the flower of the field from whom bloomed the precious lily of
the valley. Through her birth the nature inherited from our first
parents is changed." The opening prayer at Mass speaks of the birth of
Mary's Son as the dawn of our salvation and asks for an increase of
peace.
