Prayer for the Feast of the Nativity of Mary
For September 9 or Other Occasions
The Nativity (birth) of Mary is celebrated on September 8, nine months after the celebration of Mary's Immaculate Conception on December 8. The Church honors the birthday of Mary because she is the mother of Jesus, the Lord and Savior of all humanity. Most (though not all) saints are celebrated on the anniversary of their death, in recognition of the works they did during their lifetime. We celebrate Mary's birthday because she was conceived without sin, meaning she was worthy of our devotion even from birth. The only other saint (aside from Jesus) whose birthday is honored is Saint John the Baptist, on the Nativity of John the Baptist. This is because, although he was not conceived without original sin, Church Tradition holds that his encounter with Jesus while still in his mother's womb (at the Visitation) means he was born already purified of original sin.
While we don't know the exact birth date of Mary's birth (just as we don't know the exact birthdate of Jesus), the Church sets aside September 8 to celebrate it.
Prayer for the Feast of the Nativity of Mary
God Our Father,
Give your chosen people your help and strength.
The birth of the Virgin Mary's son was the dawn of our salvation.
May our celebration of her nativity bring us closer to lasting peace
And may the virtues that she modeled develop in our lives,
To love you and our neighbors more perfectly.
Grant this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen
David Bennett, adapted from "The Liturgy of the Hours"
Updated 02-22-2023 by Elizabeth Craig