It’s your Birthday, our dear Mother

Birthday of Mary (September 8)

PRELUDE
Sir Matthew:
It’s your birthday, our dear Mother! The Catholic Church designates
September 8 as the birthday of Mary. Mary was conceived by her mother,
St. Anne, free from original sin. Mary’s father is St. Joachim. May this
simple celebration for the birthday of our Mother touch our hearts and
motivate us to strive to follow her examples, in our desire of going closer to
her Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Ma’am Kristleanne:
The birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a very important feast in the
Church because it prepares the way for the birth of Jesus. The Church
designates September 8 as the birthday of Mary, nine months after the
solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. This event, however, has no
biblical references. Instead, tradition says that the story of the birth of the
Blessed Virgin Mary is found in the Protoevangelium of James, an
apocryphal gospel written about A.D. 150, which also mentions Saint Anne
and Saint Joachim as her parents.

BIRTHDAY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Sir Matthew:
Today, as we celebrate Mary’s birthday, we speak of her simplicity,
obedience and humility. She was simple in her ways, without any
pretension or ambitious concern to be exalted. Her Magnificat was an
exaltation of her simplicity and lowliness. Her obedience was strongly
shown in her total response of faith and cooperation to God’s plan when
she said “YES” to be the Mother of God. Moreover, Mary exhibited the
value of humility as she accepted the mission to be the servant of God, the
handmaid of the Lord.
 Indeed, she devoted her whole life to Jesus, loving and following Him
even up to Calvary. These are the virtues we should constantly learn to live,
and teach others to live. As we join the whole Church in celebrating the
birthday of Mary today, let us ask the blessing of humility, obedience and
simplicity.

Song: (Everyone will sing the opening song….)

Ma’am Kristleanne:
Lord, we feel so grateful for the gift of Mary in the world and in the
Church. Through her openness to Your invitation, we are all saved. Her
example inspired many people to dedicate their lives to Your service. As we
celebrate her birthday today, we thank you for gathering us and giving us a
mother and a model of a holy life. May we imbibe the values of simplicity,
humility and obedience as we strive to imitate Mary’s good examples.
Amen.

GOSPEL READING:
Sir Matthew: A Reading from the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:39-56)

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country
of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted
Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her
womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she
exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you
will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come
to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in
my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord
would fulfill his promises to her!”

And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.
 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned
home.

(A period of silence for reflection….)

FLORAL OFFERING
Ma’am Kristleanne:
Let us honor the Blessed Virgin with a song, while we offer flowers to her.

Song: (Everyone will sing the flower offering song….)

(As the song is sung, each participant will offer a flower to the Blessed
Virgin Mother.)

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

Sir Matthew:
The plan of God for the salvation of humankind was realized through
the generous and total self-giving of Mary when she humbly accepted the
mission to be the Mother of God. In return, the Church looks at her with
deep admiration and reverence. Let us humbly ask for grace and blessings
through the intercession of Mary.

All: Mary, intercede for us…

(Assigned persons lead the Prayers of the Faithful)

Reader 1: Mary is the Queen of Martyrs. Through her, let us pray for all those our
brothers and sisters who have contracted and are suffering due to the
Coronavirus Disease, that God’s healing hand may rest upon them. Let
us
pray to the Lord….

All: Mary, intercede for us…

Reader 2: Mary is the Mother of our Creator. Through her, let us pray for all
victims of natural calamities. May we work together in taking care and
preserving God’s creations for the next generation. Let us pray to the
Lord….

All: Mary, intercede for us…

Reader 3: Mary is the Queen of Angels. Through her, let us pray for all medical
doctors, nurses and the supporting staff who are in the frontline of the
fight against COVID-19, may the Good Lord sustain and inspire them
to render life-saving services with due care, love and compassion. Let us
pray to the Lord….

All: Mary, intercede for us…

Reader 4: Mary is the Mother of Good Counsel. Through her, let us pray for the
entire community of St. John Parochial School – students, parents,
teachers, staff, and administrators that at this time of pandemic, may
we
always foster respect and solidarity with others, especially the weak
and
poor who are profoundly afflicted during this trying time. May we
remain
calm and ignore unsubstantiated rumours. May we be blessed with
good
health and unfading commitment, taking advantage of living together
as
JOHNIAN family. Let us pray to the Lord….
All: Mary, intercede for us…

Reader 5: Mary is the Queen of Peace. Through her, let us pray for all those who
have lost their loved ones due to the Coronavirus outbreak, we convey
our deepest sympathies. We pray that their souls, through God’s mercy,
may rest in eternal peace. We pray also that God may grant all
bereaved
families his consolation and strengthen their faith and hope in Jesus
Christ, the Risen Lord. Let us pray to the Lord….

All: Mary, intercede for us…

Reader 6: Mary is the Mother of our Savior. Through her, let us pray for all of us
sinners, that we may obtain mercy from God and become worthy of his
graces and blessings. Let us pray to the Lord….

All: Mary, intercede for us…

Reader 7: Mary is the Queen of the Prophets. Through her, let us pray for all
priests,
nuns, missionaries and other servants of God, that they may be
strengthened in their vocations. Let us pray to the Lord….

All: Mary, intercede for us…

Reader 8: Mary is the Mother of Divine Grace. Let us pray for our personal
intentions. (Pause for a few moments.) May God grant our requests if
these will bring goodness to us and glory to His name. Let us pray to the
Lord….

All: Mary, intercede for us…

Sir Matthew:
May all the blessings we received through the intercession of the
Blessed Mother inspire us to continue being faithful to You and follow Your
 commandments. Grant that by imitating the examples of the Blessed Virgin,
we will also imbibe the values of simplicity, humility and obedience.

Let us all sing to our Blessed Mother…

(All will sing the closing song, “Happy Birthday”.)