The Catholic Church celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8 based on ancient liturgical tradition and church dedications, rather than a specific date recorded in the Bible.
Origins of the Date
Church Dedication in Jerusalem:
The feast traces back to 5th- or 6th-century Jerusalem, where a basilica (near the Pool of Bethesda) was built on the site traditionally believed to be the home of Mary's parents, Saints Joachim and Anne.
Anniversary Celebration:
The date of September 8 marks the anniversary of the consecration or dedication of that ancient church in Jerusalem.
Spread to the West:
The celebration moved from the Christian East to Rome by the late 7th century, heavily promoted by Pope Serious, (84th Pope) -687 to 701.
The Nine-Month Math
Immaculate Conception Connection:
September 8 falls exactly nine months after the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), which celebrates Mary being conceived in St. Anne's womb.
Liturgical Symmetry:
Just as the Annunciation (March 25) sits nine months before Christmas (December 25), the calendar aligns Mary's birth nine months after her own conception.
Sources Outside the Bible
Apocryphal Texts:
While the canonical Gospels do not mention Mary's birth or her parents' names, the 2nd-century Protoevangelium of James (Reference: 2nd Century Protoevangelijm of James provides the traditional names of her parents, Joachim and Anne.
Rare Birthday Honoree:
The Church generally honors Saints on the day of their death (their birth into heaven), but makes rare earthly birthday exceptions for Jesus, St. John the Baptist, and Mary.
Primarily, the Bible has this to articulate with regards to the Announcement of the Birth of Jesus.
26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
27 to a Virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the Virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:26-28).
Posts
