September 8th
The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady
The Birth of the Virgin Mary - by Esteban Murillo ( at the Louvre, Paris)Blue gentians star the woods at morn
Near crystal pools in woodland aisles -
In this bright month a Queen was born.
No silver fanfare filled the air
As angel wings flashed round the child;
No crown was placed upon her head,
But at her halo, Heaven smiled.
October's trees wear rosaries
Of gold and scarlet, green and brown,
And as the west wind fingers them
The Ave-leaves drift slowly down.
May raises high her blossom-shrines
Where bird-choirs sing their wood-notes wild,
But both these months pay homage to
A blue-gowned Queen - September's child.
Sr. Maryanna
Teachers' Helps:
Catholic Culture has a good list of good ideas for celebrating this day! But here are some more ideas we found:
Here is a lovely coloring page of the Blessed Mother. A picture gallery of classic Blessed Mother paintings can be found here. The children might also want to make Our Heavenly Mother some birthday cards to display in front of her image!
The most simple and meaningful form of celebrating Mary's birthday is, of course, to bake a birthday cake and sing "Happy Birthday!" This afternoon maybe the children can help bake a beautiful white cake (or possibly a blue jello poke cake or a traditional angel food cake?), or maybe cupcakes with white icing. Since blue is the traditional color of Mary, blueberries might make a good garnish...
Here is a list of flowers meaningful to Our Lady. This would be a perfect day to make a trip to the florist and arrange a boquet forthe Blessed Mother. How perfect to choose flowers based on their meaning for her!
And, last, but not least, s list of poetry devoted to Our Lady's Nativity and to her holy name can be found here.
Prayer to the Holy Child, Mary
Sweet Child Mary, destined to be the Mother of God and our sovereign and loving Mother, by the prodigies of grace you lavish upon us, mercifully listen to my humble supplications. In the needs which press upon me from every side and especially in my present tribulation, I place all my trust in you.
O Holy Child, by the privileges granted to you alone and by the merits which you have acquired, be merciful to me this day. Show that the source of spiritual favors and the continuous benefits which you dispense are inexhaustible, because your power with the Heart of God is unlimited. Deign through the immense profusion of graces with which the Most High has enriched you from the first moment of your Immaculate Conception, grant me, O Celestial Child, my petition, and I shall eternally praise the goodness of your Heart.
Mary's Childhood
Zurburan, 1660
