MARY, OUR MOTHER

Marian Feasts

Mary holds a special place in our Church!

September 8: The Birth of Mary. We honor Mary’s birth because through her, God’s Son came into our world.

September 12: The Holy Name of Mary. We honor Mary’s name because all generations will call her Blessed. (Lk 1:48)

September 15: Our Lady of Sorrows. Mary shared in all the sufferings of her Son, Jesus. She is prayed to under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix. (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 969)

October 7: Our Lady of the Rosary. In 1571, the Christian states of Europe united to defeat the Ottoman Turks in a naval battle -- the Battle of Lepanto. Before and during the battle, Christians gathered to pray the Rosary and to ask Mary to grant them victory against their much stronger enemy. The Christians triumphed. This feast eventually came to be known as Our Lady of the Rosary. Today we remember that we pray the Rosary in order to reflect on the major events in the lives of Mary and Jesus.

November 21: The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Tradition teaches us that when Mary was about three, her parents brought her to the Temple in Jerusalem to consecrate her to God’s service. Mary’s entire life was one of service and devotion to the Lord. On this day, we remember her example and rededicate ourselves to serving God.

December 8: The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. This feast is observed exactly nine months before the celebration honoring Mary’s birth in September. On this day, we recall our belief that Mary was free from all sin from the moment she was conceived. Mary received this great gift from God. This grace prepared Mary to be the Mother of God. As we celebrate this feast, we can promise to work harder at overcoming the selfishness that leads us to sin.

January 1: Mary, Mother of God. This special day reminds us that God keeps His promises to us, just as He kept the promise He made to Mary through the angel Gabriel.

March 25: The Annunciation of the Lord. Although Mary did not fully understand what God was asking of her through Gabriel’s announcement, she trusted in God’s plan for her and responded by saying “yes” to God.

May 31: The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast commemorates Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth, who also was expecting a child, John the Baptist. Mary journeyed to Elizabeth’s home to assist her elderly cousin. Elizabeth recognized the gift God had bestowed upon Mary. Her greeting, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb,” is still echoed in our prayers today.

There are other feasts honoring Mary, which include: The Assumption (August 15); The Queenship of Mary (August 22); Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12); Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16); and Our Lady of Lourdes (Feb. 11).