The day the Queen of Heaven was born ranks as one of the most beautiful in human history. Yet, nothing explicitly is recorded or known about Mary’s birth. The names of her parents aren’t even recorded in Scripture. The names of St. Anne and Joachim are found rather in the 2nd century text called the Protoevangelium Jacobi.
And although the blood of David flowed in her veins, although she was the virgin who would give birth to the savior about whom Isaiah prophesied, the protoevangelium Jacobi records how her birth went virtually unnoticed by the citizens of Nazareth.
Her birth was subtle and humble, much like the morning dawn. But like the dawn, her birth was the beginning of something new: God’s plan of salvation was beginning a new and final chapter. Her birth is the prelude to the birth of the Salvation Himself.
The Immaculate Mother came into the world at a time when many of God’s people had lost hope in a Messiah, just as many have lost sight of Christ in our modern day. God had been quiet for so long. The evils of the world, the oppression of the Jewish people, the darkness of Israel’s sin seemed to eclipse God’s promises of salvation. And so in the darkness of Israel’s history, without fanfare or recognition, Our Lady was born.
Humility marked her birth and humility would mark her life, and this scripture does record: not her birth, not her parents, not her upbringing, not her favorite food or favorite color, but her humility. At the annunciation: humility. At the visitation humility. At the birth of her son: humility. At the wedding at Cana: humility. Hidden throughout the ministry of her Son: humility. At the foot of the Cross, fully submitting to this holy sacrifice: humility.
Our Lady’s birth reminds us that the whole of our life is to be humbly placed in the service of the divine mystery, in complete submission to the divine will, and this is the way to heaven. She shows us the surest way, and is a model for all Christians, that from the moment we are born we like her are to seek to be open, listening, ready, faithful, surrendered to the Divine Will. In her humility she gives us the greatest example of faithful discipleship of Jesus, the greatest example of humanity. This is what humanity was meant to be from the beginning.
Saint Thomas of Villanova explained in sermon that Mary is the heavenly dawn, not only for the world, but especially for each individual soul. May her humility dawn and rise in us, that faith, hope, and charity, which were perfect in her, may be perfected in us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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To Our Lady’s most powerful intercession, we recommend ourselves and the entire Church.
That Our Lady may bring constant guidance and assistance to the Holy Father and the Bishops in their apostolic mission, and aid all who help them in their work.
That all government leaders may be awakened to the supreme dignity of each human life, and that all people of our nation may work together for an end to the culture of death.
That through Immaculate Mary, Queen of Peace, hatred, violence, and cruelty will cease in the world.
That the sick may draw strength, consolation, and healing by turning to Our Lady, who intercedes for us from her place in heaven.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
We pray, O Lord our God, that the Virgin Mary, who merited to bear God and man in her chaste womb, may commend the prayers of your faithful in your sight.
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