Collect taken from the feast of the Nativity of Mary, Mother of God.
Collect: Impart to your servants, we pray, O Lord, the gift of heavenly grace, that the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin may bring deeper peace to those for whom the birth of her Son was the dawning of salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son…
“Impart to your servants, we pray, O Lord, the gift of heavenly grace,”
– This is a straightforward acknowledgment of our status as servants of God paired with a direct request for grace.
“that the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin may bring deeper peace to those for whom the birth of her Son was the dawning of salvation.“
– We celebrate Mary’s birthday not for her benefit, but for ours. Like all events in salvation and everything truly good, we ought to celebrate it as a reflection of God’s goodness, which in turns bestows peace upon us. And the birth of Mary’s son, Jesus, was the dawning of salvation for all, provided they accept that salvation.
Questions & Advice: Do you find peace and joy in the feasts of the Church? Do you actually delight and rejoice in the goodness of Mary, or is this just something you go along with unthinkingly? Do you continue to strive to accept the salvation of Jesus Christ?
Read about Mary in the Catechism (484-493). Spend some of your daily prayer time reflecting on how invested you are in the feasts of the Church. Give a gift to Mary on her birthday by praying a rosary or doing some act of charity, offering it to her so she can offer it to her son.
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| Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis! |