Christians across the world on Sunday, September 8, joined the Catholic Church in celebrating the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a feast that honors the birth of the mother of Jesus Christ.
The celebration, which falls exactly nine months after the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, is one of the oldest Marian feasts in the Church’s liturgical calendar.
According to Christian tradition, Mary was born to Saints Joachim and Anne in Nazareth, and her birth marked the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s plan for the salvation of humanity through Christ. While the Bible gives no direct account of her nativity, early Christian writings preserved the belief in her holy parentage and mission.
Pope Francis, in a message during Mass at the Vatican, urged the faithful to draw inspiration from Mary’s humility, obedience, and openness to God’s will. “The birth of Mary is a dawn that announces the rising of the Sun of Justice, Christ our Savior,” the pontiff said.
In churches worldwide, the day was marked with special liturgies, Marian hymns, and prayers, with many parishes organizing processions and devotions in her honor. In Nigeria and other parts of Africa, large crowds attended Marian shrines to celebrate the feast with thanksgiving Masses.
Catholic scholars note that the feast emphasizes Mary’s role in salvation history and her special place as the first disciple of Christ. “Honoring her nativity is not just about her birth, but about celebrating God’s providence in preparing a pure vessel for the Incarnation,” said Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Eze, a liturgist based in Enugu.
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary remains a joyous occasion for Catholics and other Christians devoted to Mary, serving as a reminder of her intercession and her role as mother of the Church.
