The Feast of the Nativity of Mary
Today, Our Lady is born of St. Anne and this feast marks 9 months since the feast of Mary's Immaculate Conception on December 8th. We can celebrate by throwing a birthday party with blue and white decorations and cake!
Today's liturgical color is white for Mary's purity or gold for her glory. The faithful can wear these colors, variations of or blue (the traditional Marian color) to honor Our Lady.
“I remember that the Blessed Virgin said to [St. Bridget] that if women with child celebrated the vigil of Her Nativity by fasting and by the pious recitation of nine Ave Marias in honor of Her nine-months' sojourn in Her Mother's womb; and if they renewed this devotion frequently during their pregnancy and the day before they expected their confinement, at the same time receiving with devotion the Holy Sacrament, She would bring their prayer before God and beg for a happy delivery even in difficult and dangerous conditions. I myself had today a vision of the Blessed Virgin who came to me and told me, among other things, that whoever recited with love and devotion on the afternoon of this day nine Ave Marias in honor of her nine months' sojourn in her mother's womb and of her birth, continuing this devotion for nine days, would give the angels nine flowers each day for a bouquet which they would receive in heaven and present to the Blessed Trinity, to obtain favor for the suppliant.” - Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich
"Anyone who prays this many Aves, They will merit a special share in the joys which I possess in Heaven, which are continually renewed, and in the virtues with which the ever blessed and glorious Trinity adorns me.” -Our Lady to St. Gertrude
Please note the aforementioned “Hail Marys” can be offered on the feast itself if unable to do so on the vigil.
Indulgences: An indulgence can be gained today under the usual conditions (see indulgences section) if a church named for Mary's Nativity is visited while an Our Father and Apostle's Creed is prayed.For those consecrated to Mary on this feast in previous years and renew their indulgence a plenary indulgence can be gained today. To make this renewal more efficacious see here. For members of the Rosary Confraternity and Living Rosary a plenary indulgence is gained under the usual conditions.
Feast Day Customs It is a custom in some places to give newlyweds an image of the Infant Mary.
The Stations of Advent (A devotion that recalls salvation history, mirroring the Stations of the Cross, culminating in Mary's Birth.) Today is a feast that echoes Christmas as we celebrate the birth of She who would give birth to Christ.
A Resource for the Feast of Mary's Nativity
Gifts for Our Lady Our Lady would be greatly pleased by praying the rosary and donning the brown scapular and miraculous medal if you aren’t already doing so daily.
Mary's Nativity- A Vision Bk 1 Ch 7
See Also: Mary of Nazareth for a film about Our Lady's life. Mary in Film
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