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Feast of the Nativity of Mary
Giotto's Birth of Mary in the Scrovegni Chapel (Padua, Veneto, Italy) ca 1305
Today we celebrate the birth of Mary. Although scripture says nothing about the circumstances of her birth, it is rich in stories about her adult life. The stories are the source of lots of images and titles for Mary. One of the best known is Theotokos, the God-Bearer.
I love this particular image of Mary and what it symbolizes. For Mary, “God-bearing” wasn’t a one-time event. It didn’t end when Jesus was born. Mary witnessed to God’s goodness and kindness with her whole life. Scripture tells of many times when Mary stepped in to help others, sometimes asking her son to lend a hand too, as in the wedding feast at Cana. She cared for the people in her life and was a faithful friend, mother, and wife. To me, the image of Mary as God-Bearer reminds me that we all have the capacity to be “God-bearers” through the compassion and love we extend to others. So, my birthday gift to Mary is the extra special attention I’ll give to being the best God-bearer I can today.
What images of Mary have special meaning for you? How will you celebrate Mary’s birthday?
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When I was a non-Catholic (and non-Christian) teenager, I wanted to become a Catholic, and one day, I picked up a pamphlet of Catholic prayers. In there, I found the prayer “Hail, Holy Queen,” which spoke very deeply to me then, in my adolescent confusion and anxiety. I still love the prayer, which now speaks to me of unconditional compassion and love, the compassion Mary and Her Son have for us. Yes, in my mid-20′s, I became a Catholic, converting from Judaism.
Later, I attended seminary and resonated deeply with a very different understanding of Mary. I began to understand her as the young girl, approached by the Angel Gabriel, to bear The Son. Poor, pregnant, with no women companions, Mary gave birth to Jesus in a stable and had to make due with whatever was at hand. Did she wrap Him in her head covering? Did she later wish that, rather than gold, etc., the 3 magi had brought gifts that were more practical, such as a warm blanket? Certainly she was grateful to the shepherds for their companionship. Mary is, for me, every poor, unmarried, young girl who is awaiting the birth of her child and the transformation of her own life. And Mary is so, so much more.
Pat, that is a beautiful reflection on Mary! She is a powerful symbol of the hope of transformation in our lives. As I thought further about your words, it also occurred to me that she’s a symbol of the need for transformation in our world. So many poor young women are working hard to raise their children and support them through jobs that don’t pay a living wage. I pray that Mary may be a source of strength for them and a call for social justice for everyone.
The Pieta has special meaning for me. I know this will upset many readers, but several years ago, I had an abortion. I was depressed for over a year afterward, even with therapy and medication. Finally, I found my way back to church, at the beginning of a Lenten season. I prayed the Stations of the Cross every Friday evening, and Mary helped me grieve for my unborn child by sharing her grief for her own Son. She gave me the strength to bear my guilt. I still call upon her whenever I struggle with love and relationships and issues that are unique to women. She’s familiar with the quiet type of pain and courage we all have.
I attended Mass and visited the Chapel today to celebrate our Blessed Mother’s birthday. Our pastor has a special love for Mary and I knew he would provide a lovely homily, which he did.
While there are usually one or more peeps in the Chapel for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, there was a rare 5-minute time frame where I happened to be alone in the Chapel. Although I wasn’t too loud, I actually sang “Happy Birthday” to Mary in celebration of her life. Instead of some of the flowers I normally see in Chapel, there was a vase filled with beautiful Roses in front of our Blessed Mother’s statue. Seemed very appropriate on this special day.
I sat in the awesome quiet of Adoration and suddenly thought of my Mom (Mary), who is resting in peace with our dear Blessed Mother and Father.
Hmmm … such a joyful day!
Mary, to me, has always been the mother of great faith that we all need. Regardless of the faith of our own, biological mothers, Mary has always been a source of strength for me when my own faith was waning and I needed an older, wiser woman of great courage to help pick me up again and move me forward. I really love Mary like my own Mom, and I think this is a lovely day. My kids’ CCD classes began on Tuesday evening and our Pastor led us all in a lovely hymn to Mary – it was a beautiful way to honor her as a faith community on the eve of her birthday.