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The pictures above
represent the
Virgin Mary as a baby, then as a child.
(Wave your mouse over the
picture to see both) |
The
Nativity (Birthday) of
The Blessed Virgin Mary
Feast Day September 8 (The Birthday of the
Most Blessed Mary, Ever-Virgin, Mother of God.)
The Following is From a Sermon of St. Augustine of Hippo:
The hoped-for day of the blessed and venerable Mary ever a Virgin has now come; therefore
let our earth rejoice with great gladness, illuminated by the birth of so great a Virgin.
For she is the flower of the field from which came forth the priceless lily of the valley;
by her child-bearing the nature inherited from our first parents is changed, their fault
wiped out. In her that sentence passed on Eve was remitted which said, "In sorrow
shall you bring forth children," for Mary brought forth the Lord in joy.
Eve sorrowed, but Mary exulted; Eve carried weeping in her womb, but Mary carried joy, for
Eve brought forth a sinner, but Mary innocence itself. The mother of our race brought
punishment into the world, but the Mother of our Lord brought salvation into the world.
Eve was the source of sin, Mary the source of merit. Eve by killing was a hindrance, Mary
by giving life was a help. Eve wounded, Mary healed. Obedience takes the place of
disobedience, faith makes up for faithlessness.
Mary may now play on her instruments, the Mother strike the cymbals with swift fingers.
The joyful choruses may sound out and songs alternate with sweet harmonies. Hear, then,
how she sings, she who leads our chorus. For she say, "My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; because He has regarded the lowliness of His
handmaid; for, behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; because He who is
mighty has done great things for me." And so the miraculous new birth takes away the
cause of our increasing burden of sin, and Mary's song puts an end to the weeping of Eve.
(From the Second Nocturn of Matins of the feast of the Nativity of
the Blessed Virgin Mary)
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