Birthday of our Mother

HAPPY FEAST TO ALL

Dear friends, the longed for feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary is at hand; so let us be glad with the greatest rejoicing as such a feast dawns for us. She is the flower of the field from whom bloomed the precious Lily of the valley, through whose birth the nature inherited from our first parents is transformed and our guilt is blotted out. Eve mourned, Mary rejoiced. Eve carried tears in her heart; Mary, joy. Eve gave birth to sinners, Mary to the Innocent One. The mother of our race brought forth punishment upon the world, the Mother of our Lord brought salvation into the world. Eve was the author of sin, Mary the author of merit. Eve by killing was a hindrance to the human race, Mary by giving life was a help to all; Eve struck, Mary healed. Disobedience is displaced by obedience, and fidelity atones for infidelity..This miraculous new birth has utterly vanquished the aimless wanderings of humankind; Mary's canticle has put an end to the lamentations of Eve.PrayerGreat Mother of God, your childbearing of the Word of God was the beginning of our salvation.May your grace-filled birthday that delights the heart of the redeemed bring us also an increase of peace. Blest be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother! Amen.