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FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN ( September 8th )

Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus. (Matt. I, 16.)

CONSIDER FIRSTLY that before the birth of Mary the world was buried in the darkness of sin. When Mary was born, the dawn arose, says a holy Father. Already it had been said of Mary, Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in array. (Cant.vi, 9.) The earth rejoices when the dawn appears, because the dawn is the forerunner of the sun. The birth of Mary brought joy to all the world, for she was the precursor of the sun of justice, Jesus Christ. He made Himself her Son and came into the world, so that by His death He might save us.

APPLICATION: Exultingly then does the Holy Church sing: Thy birth, O Virgin Mother of God, brought joy to the whole world: for out of thee arose the Sun of justice, who hath given us life everlasting. By the birth of Mary our remedy was also born, our consolation and our salvation, for by means of Mary we receive the Saviour. Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our Life, our Sweetness and our Hope.

AFFECTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS: Shew us, O Lord, thy mercy: and grant us thy salvation. He will speak peace unto his people. (Ps. lxxxiv, 8, 9.)

CONSIDER SECONDLY  that this privileged child was destined to be the Mother of the Eternal Word. Hence God enriched her with so much grace that, even her Immaculate Conception, her holiness exceeded the holiness of all the saints and angels together. For she received grace of a far superior order to theirs, corresponding to her dignity of Mother of God.

APPLICATION:  O Holy Child, O full of grace, I a miserable sinner salute thee and reverence thee. Thou art the beloved and the delight of God. Have pity on me, who for my sins have been an abomination before God. Thou, O most pure Virgin, hast, ever since thy infancy, known how to gain and to win fully the heart of God. He denies thee nothing. He does all that thou askest. In thee then is all my hope. Recommend me to thy Son, and I shall be safe.

AFFECTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS: Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. (Ps. lxxxvi, 4.)

CONSIDER THIRDLY that when Mary was destined to be the Mother of our Redeemer, she was at the same time destined to be the mediatrix with God for us sinners. Hence the angelical doctor St. Thomas says that Mary received as much grace as would suffice to save all mankind. Consequently St. Bernard calls her an aqueduct in the fullness of which we all participate.

APPLICATION: O my Queen, O Mediatrix of sinners, fulfil thy office! Intercede for me. I would not that my sins should prevent me from confiding in thee. O great Mother of God, I trust in thee so completely that, if my salvation were placed in my own hands, I would myself at once put it back in thine. O Mary take me under thy protection, and that is sufficient for me.  

AFFECTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS: With thee is the fountain of life. (Ps. xxxv, 10.)

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