Nativity of Mary

[twf]

Tomorrow is the feast of the Nativity of Our Lady. I’ve often wondered why it is a mere feast, rather than a full solemnity, while the nativity of St. John the Baptist is a solemnity. In the Byzantine tradition, the feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos is ranked among the 12 “Great Feasts” (highest rank thus equivalent of the Latin solemnity). I know that our Latin tradition places greater emphasis on the Immaculate Conception (which is a solemnity), but any thoughts on why Her nativity is celebrated as a lower ranking feast?

 

[Chatter163]

Her Immaculate Conception, Assumption and Maternity are all solemnities. All of these involve supernatural aspects carried out by God. Her Nativity was a little less so.

 

[DeaconsSon87]

Her Immaculate Conception, Assumption and Maternity are all solemnities. All of these involve supernatural aspects carried out by God. Her Nativity was a little less so.

All three are holy days of obligation…I, too, think this should be a solemnity (though not a HDOA-though I think the Annunciation should be).

 

[twf]

All three are holy days of obligation…I, too, think this should be a solemnity (though not a HDOA-though I think the Annunciation should be).

Of the three, in Canada, only Jan 1 Mary, Mother of God is a holy day of obligation…which I think is unfortunate.

 

[DeaconsSon87]

Also, if the Nativity of John the Baptist is a solemnity, why not that of the Blessed Mother?

 

[twf]

Also, if the Nativity of John the Baptist is a solemnity, why not that of the Blessed Mother?

Exactly. Celebrating Her Nativity as a solemnity doesn’t take away from the unique mystery celebrated during the solemnity of Her Immaculate Conception.

 

[Googler]

MOST lovely child, who by thy birth hast comforted the world, made glad the heavens, struck terror into hell, brought help to the fallen, consolation to the sad, health to the sick, joy to all; we pray thee with all fervent love, be thou born again in spirit in our souls through thy most holy love. Renew our fervor in thy service, rekindle in our hearts the fire of thy love, and bid all virtues blossom there, which may cause us to find more and more fervor in thy gracious eyes. O Mary, may we feel the saving power of thy sweetest name! Let it ever be our comfort to call on that great name in all our troubles; let it be our hope in dangers, our shield in temptation, and in death our last aspiration. Amen.

~Prayer from Novena for the Feast of Our Lady’s Nativity | Mary, Help of Christians

So now whilst we salute thee nine times, we will direct our thoughts to the nine months which thou didst pass enclosed in thy mothers womb; and we will devoutly say:

We hail thee, O Mary, who tracing thy descent from the royal house of David, didst come forth to the light of Heaven with high honour from the womb of holy Anna, thy most happy mother. Ave Maria.

We hail thee, heavenly babe, white dove of purity; who in spite of the serpent wast conceived free from original sin. Ave Maria.

We hail thee, bright morn; who, forerunner of the heavenly Sun of Justice, didst bring the first light to earth. Ave Maria.

We hail thee, Elect; who, like the untarnished Sun, didst burst forth in the dark night of sin. Ave Maria.

We hail thee, beauteous Moon; who didst shed light upon a world wrapped in the thickest darkness of paganism. Ave Maria.

We hail thee, dread warrior-child; who, in thyself a host, didst put to flight all hell. Ave Maria.

We hail thee, fair soul of Mary; who from eternity wast possessed by GOD. Ave Maria.

We hail thee, dear child, and we humbly venerate thy most holy infant body, the sacred swaddling clothes wherewith they bound thee, the sacred crib wherein they laid thee, and we bless the hour and the day when thou wast born. Ave Maria.

We hail thee, much beloved infant, adorned with every virtue immeasurably above all saints, and therefore worthy Mother of the SAVIOUR of the world; who, having been made fruitful by the HOLY SPIRIT, didst bring forth the WORD Incarnate. Ave Maria. Amen.

~from Novena for the Feast of Our Lady’s Nativity
No. 199. The Raccolta (1910).