Happy Birthday, Mama Mary!
September 8 is a very happy day that the Lord has made! On this day, our Mama Mary was born, she who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, without sin, full of grace, blessed among women, blessed with the fruit of her womb, Jesus Christ!
Her exact date of birthday is not known but for about 15 centuries now, Mama Mary's birthday is celebrated exactly nine months after December 8, the feast of her Immaculate Conception (the day our Mama Mary was conceived in the womb of her mother, St. Anne).
We are celebrating her birthday because we love her, especially because of her love for God and for us all, because she consented to be part of God's salvation plan for us all. Remember this from John 3:16? "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
We honor her today because we remember what is celebrated in the Angelus, a reminder of Mama Mary's response during the Annunciation- "The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Behold the handmaid of the Lord." And Mama Mary answered: "Be it done to me according to thy word. And the Word was made flesh. And dwelt among us."
We celebrate her birthday today because we gratefully remember Mama Mary's wonderful role and love for God and our redemption! Because of her obedience and acceptance of God's will, she willingly agreed to become the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord. It was an honor for her to be blessed among women, yes, but she witnessed and felt, and together, bore the pain of her son's passion and cross.
Celebrating her birthday is our way of saying thank you to our loving Mother and advocate our redemption and our happy reunion with God! Through the years, Mama Mary has continued to appear to a humble Indian peasant, Juan Diego in Guadalupe, to Bernadette Soubirous, a young poor and sick girl in the grotto of Masabielle, close to Lourdes, to three little shepherds, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta, to Sr. Agnes Sasagawa in Akita Japan, and more. In all her apparitions, Mama Mary always reminded all to be faithful and to fervently pray, pray, pray for the reparation of sins and for God's peace.
Especially now that the world is going through troubled, fragile times, when some nations are escalating, rather than toning down, their military threats and confrontations, we are celebrating Mama Mary's birthday this year with our fervent prayer for her to, once again, intercede for us, for peace and protection for everyone and our world.
It may be good to remember now, most especially, her October 13, 1973 message in Akita, Japan: "...Pray very much the prayers of the Rosary. I alone am able still to save you from the calamities which approach. Those who place their confidence in me will be saved."
At the Holy Family Parish in Mandaue, Mama Mary's birthday will be celebrated with masses as well as 2000 Hail Mary's to be recited throughout the day. Our Mama Mary has continued to faithfully intercede for us to God our Father and her Son, Jesus Christ. Mama Mary has also continued to remind us to pray, pray, pray the Rosary.
Although September 8 is a regular day of work and school for most, may we all remember that this is the day the Lord has made, a day we thank Mama Mary who joined God and His Son restore humankind back into Their loving embrace.
Happy, happy birthday and thank you, our dear Mama Mary!
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