Bible speaks little of the Mother of God but tradition gives valuable information. We know very little about Miriam of Nazareth as an actual historic person. In this she is in solidarity with the multitudes of people through the centuries especially poor women and men, whose lives are considered not worth recording. We must also be respectful of her historic difference from us in time and place.

Mary lived in Mediterranean rural village, Nazareth, whose population consisted largely of peasants working in the land and craftsmen who served their basic needs. Married to the local carpenter, she took care of the household. We do not find anything in the Gospels about the Birth of Virgin Mary. This is because the main focus has been completely centered on the person of Jesus Christ. The mystery of Christ and His two natures human and divine and His salvific mission, hence Mary was in oblivion.

Much of this knowledge of the circumstances in which we lived has resulted from the contemporary quest for the historical Jesus. But it serves us as well for the Miriam of Nazareth as a Jewish village women of faith. Mary walked by faith, not by sight. She has a relationship with God that was profound. In those days, people’s hope for the coming of the Messiah included in the hope that He would liberate the suffering poor from oppressive rule.

Unlike the birth of john the Baptist (Lk. 1:57-63) we find nothing in the Gospels concerning the birth of Mary. All the same we find in the proto Gospel of James that Ann and Joachim were her parents who were barren but in their old age gave birth to Mary. The feast “Birth of Mary” started in Jerusalem during the 5th century where according to tradition the house of Mary had been. The feast comes at a time when the fields are ready for harvest. So it is a time of rejoicing as they offer the first fruit to God. This is very significant in the light of the Word of the God “When the fullness of time came, God sent His son born of a women” (Gal. 4:4-6).

The description although in the manner of an apocryphal document obviously presents an important historical event about the Birth of the Mother of the Lord. The birth of Mary is ordained in particular toward her mission as Mother of the Saviour. Tradition, grounded on very old testimonies, informs us that Saints Joachim and Ann in their old age came from Galilee to settle in Jerusalem, and there Mary the Mother of God was Born. A Church was built during the 4th century, possibly by Saint Helena, on the sight of the house of saints Joachim and Ann in Jerusalem.

The origin of this Feast sought in Palestine. It goes back to the consecration of a Church in Jerusalem, which tradition identifies as that of the present basilica of St. Ann. At Rome, the Feast began to be celebrated towards the end of the 7th century, brought there by Eastern monks, Gradually and varied ways it spread to the other parts of the west in the centuries that followed. From the 13th century on the feast drew notable importance and celebrated with solemnity on different dates from place to place.

For some centuries now, the Birth of Mary has been assigned to September 8 both in the East and West. However, when the feast of the Immaculate Conception (which has a later origin than that of the birth) was extended to the whole Church the Birth of Mary slowly and steadily assigned everywhere to September 8 – nine months after the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

Read the following 2 articles that tells more about the birth of Mother Mary:

Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary – September 08

Nativity of The Blessed Virgin Mary

If many “will rejoice” at the Birth of the precursor (Lk. 1:14) a much greater joy is stirred up by the BIRTH of the MOTHER of the savior. Hence, this is a Feast that serves as a prelude to the “joy to all people” brought about by the Birth of the son of God at Christmas and expressed by the singing of hymns and carols. Added to this joy on this MARIAN FEAST is that of light because with MARY’S BIRTH the darkness is dispersed and there raises in the world a dawn that announces the sun of justice, Jesus Christ the Lord.

Mary – Queen – as the daughter of the Father, Mother of the son, and bride of the Holy Spirit, Mary was crowned Queen of Heaven and earth by the Triune God. As we celebrate the Birthday of our Heavenly Mother, let’s pray that she may continue interceding for us.

- – - written by Bro. Mathew Perunilam

I’ll sing a hymn to Mary,
The Mother of my God,
The Virgin of all virgins,
Of David’s royal blood.
O teach me, holy Mary,
A loving song to frame,
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
To love and bless thy name.

O Lily of the Valley,
O Mystic Rose, what tree,
Or flower, e’en the fairest,
Is half so fair as thee?
O let me, tho’ so lowly
Recite my Mother’s fame.
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
I’ll love and bless thy name.

O noble Tower of David,
Of gold and ivory.
The Ark of God’s own promise,
The gate of Heav’n to me.
To live and not to love thee
Would fill my soul with shame;
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
I’ll love and bless thy name.

The saints are high in glory,
With golden crowns so bright;
But brighter far is Mary,
Upon her throne of light.
Oh that which God did give thee,
Let mortal ne’er disclaim;
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
I’ll love and bless thy name.

But in the crown of Mary,
There lies a wonderous gem,
As Queen of all the angels,
Which Mary shares with them;
No sin hath e’er defiled thee,
So doth our faith proclaim;
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
I’ll love and bless thy name.

- – - Hymn To Mary written by John Wyse (1825-98)

The Magnificat, taken from Luke’s Gospel (1:46-55), is the Blessed Virgin Mary’s hymn of praise to the Lord. It is also known as the Canticle of Mary in the Liturgy of the Hours.

The Magnificat of Mary

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 holy is his name;
And his mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm,
He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of his mercy
Even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever.

Do you have a Magnificat which is an overflow of your contemplation about your “Yes” to God?

The hymn of praise, with a lot of meaning from life-experience was the Magnificat of Virgin Mary. Mary’s soul always sang praises to God Almighty, for the great things He has done throughout her life. Mary’s song of praise was the daily prayer for her and she sang it from her heart.

Her life was not a bed of roses, but filled with poverty, struggles and sufferings. She just said “Yes” to God. The virgin who is supposed to become the mother of God had gone through pain and anxiety than any women could think. Still her faith gave her strength to be committed to her response.

As a young virgin, she might have dreamed a lot like any other virgins in Israel. She had prepared herself completely to be the mother of God. Her preparedness gave way to God’s salvation to mankind. When the time came for her to give birth to the child, she goes with her husband to enrol their names. Can anyone think of a pregnant woman, who is a refugee, still no place for staying even one day, travelling such a hard journey? When the labour pain begins, she had no place to give birth to the child. The silent cry of the new-born might have silenced the cattle there. In that cold night, mother might have searched for a good peace of cloth to cover the child. Saying “Yes” to God, requires a lot of struggles, humiliations etc.

The journey to Egypt and Nazareth was not an easy task. On the eighth day taking child to the temple for offering, and the prophecy of Simon was very heart breaking; still she contemplated and said “Yes”. When the child is lost in the temple, the agony of the mother is heavy. At the time people spoke very badly about her son, she contemplated. The day she heard that he was betrayed by one of his disciples whom she knew well but never expected, she couldn’t bear it.

When Jesus was in the hands of Jews like a criminal, being taken to Pilate and Herod, on the way when she met the beloved son carrying the big cross, the mother contemplates about her response to God. At last when the son is crucified and hanged on the cross, at the foot of the cross she contemplates silently and offers herself to the Will of Almighty. There too she sang the hymn of praise in her heart.

She knew that she was blessed because of the fruit. She found favour with God, not men. This favour is reflected all through her life. From that fullness of grace she sings the Magnificat. Only those people, who live in graceful life, can sing the Magnificat, even in difficult times of life.

Mary discovered God’s mighty works through her, in her faith. When she surrendered herself to become the channel of grace to humanity, she was aware of the meaning of sufferings in her life. She knew that the fruit in her womb is the mighty work of God. Her virginity has been glorified by the mighty One, and then she could praise the Holy Name of God. When grace filled in her, she became the model for all the virgins.

Mary had been taught by her parents about the religious tradition. She knew about God’s mighty hand Israel experienced and she acknowledges it proudly in the form of praise. It is very important to know one’s own religious tradition from a faith perceptive, which will enhance one, especially when he/she is in struggle. Mary, who knew the mighty works God done through their ancestors and Israel, especially the exodus experience (Ex.15:1-21) had not doubted God but believed in His Mighty works through her.

Those who humbled themselves had been lifted high by the Lord. David, the shepherd, became the powerful weapon in the hands of God. To slew down Goliath, the symbol of evil, God uses little boy David and his technique with sharp stones. For the world it might be foolishness, but God to work miracle, our complete trust in Him is needed. The modern Era is filled with Goliath, who threatens the moral life. The Goliath of abortion, lesbian marriage, gay marriage, phonographic, Paedophilia are mighty ones who stand tall against Catholic Church and its virtues.

If somebody is ready, rise up like David and fight against it by trusting completely in God. Mother Theresa picked up unwanted ones from the gutter and showed the world Church values? One might be having only few simple stones against the proud protection of the mighty weapons of the world. The beads of rosary could become the miraculous weapon in one’s hand. Those who gain strength from those beads of rosary continuously, will be able to sing like mother Mary about the falling of powerful ones in this modern time.

God always fills the hungry. The poor are known as Yahweh’s anawim. When they cried God listened to them. They are very close to God, whereas the rich may forget God. The poor widow who is appreciated by Jesus is an example. Since the rich may not see the works of God’s right hand, due to their richness, they often go away from God with an empty heart.

Mary knew that the fruit in her womb is the fulfilment of the promise. The promise made to the fathers and Israel. She could have stopped the hymn of praise with the conception of the Word, but she does continue the Magnificat in her whole life.

- – - written by Fr. Biju Maramkuzhackal SVD