Nativity of our Lady: Mary's Sublime Vocation
by VP
Posted on Monday September 08, 2025 at 12:00AM in Meditations
Giotto di Bondone: Scenes from the Birth of Our Lady
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
GIVE God thanks for all the graces and privileges bestowed on the Blessed Virgin. Rejoice in spirit on this day of her birth, and for the approaching mercy of the incarnation, which was then drawing near. While God is liberally pouring forth his graces on her, step in, and beseech him to give you a blessing also. Let his bounty confirm your hope, and make you earnest in your prayers.
Pray in particular for that virtue, of which you are most in want. How far are you from her humility, her purity, charity, and patience? Be not then dull and slothful, when you see your wants, and have encouragement enough to hope for remedy.
The memory of past blessings ought to be a subject of perpetual joy and thanksgiving. Heaven is the place, where these holy affections are to be perfected; but here on earth we are not to be wanting in those exercises, which we hope will be our employment for ever. Bow down therefore, and with a true sense of gratitude, bless and adore the infinite goodness of your God, for the rich present which he made this day to the earth, in the birth of the Blessed Virgin, of whom was to be born the Saviour of the world. Repeat your thanks; and see that the real sentiments of your heart exceed the expressions of your lips. And having sincerely performed this part of your devotion, then turn your thoughts, and see what lessons the present festival affords.
"Mary was born in order to be the Mother of Jesus. : "Of whom was born Jesus." This is the principle of all her privileges, the summing up of all her praises. (...) It is as the Mother of the Redeemer of mankind that she will be the refuge and advocate of sinners. She is the aurora which precedes and ushers in the morning sun. (...) Certain it is that if men had known the blessings which Mary's nativity drew upon them, there would have been throughout the whole world a repetition of that which occurred among the Jews at their having been preserved from death through the meditation of Ester. "A new light seemed to rise, you, honor, dancing in all peoples...wonderful rejoicing." (Est. viii. 16,17). You also, O Priests, were born for a sublime destiny! Accomplish it faithfully, and you shall be the cause of an unspeakable joy for heaven and earth. To give Jesus to the world, and with Jesus to give it all blessings, such is your vocation, and such was the vocation of Mary. This is the reason why the holy Virgin has such a warm affection for good priests and lavishes upon them such truly maternal cares. Source: September 8, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin p444. Meditations for the Use of the Secular Clergy, from the French of Father Chaignon, S.J. Volume 2. 1907
