September 8 is Mary Birthday… as it is 9 months from Dec 8 the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, when Mary was conceived in the womb of her mother Ann..

On this day we read from Genesis..

‘To the woman he said:

“I will intensify the pangs of your childbearing;
in pain shall you bring forth children.
Yet your urge shall be for your husband,
and he shall be your master.”

Saint Andrew of Crete says…’

Today the Virgin is born, tended and formed and prepared for her role as Mother of God, who is the universal King of the ages.

Justly, then, do we celebrate this mystery since it signifies for us a double grace. We are led toward the truth, and we are led away from our condition of slavery to the letter of the law. How can this be? Darkness yields before the coming of the light, and grace exchanges legalism for freedom. But midway between the two stands today’s mystery, at the frontier where types and symbols give way to reality, and the old is replaced by the new. Therefore, let all creation sing and dance and unite to make worthy contribution to the celebration of this day. Let there be one common festival for saints in heaven and men on earth. Let everything, mundane things and those above, join in festive celebration. Today this created world is raised to the dignity of a holy place for him who made all things. The creature is newly prepared to be a divine dwelling place for the Creator.’

As the Gospel from Mathew says …‘

All this took place to fulfill
   what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
           and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.”

Mary is born today… She was conceived 9 months earlier.. but today Joachim and Ann hold their new born baby girl Mary.. God is working out his plan and showing the Holy Spirit was at work in the old covenant.. the types and shadows were giving way to Mary who is the Morning Star, the Dawn of the New Creation.

God planned to bring his Son into the world.. Jesus came only in and by Mary.. Mary was called justified and glorified by the baby that would be born from Mary.. it is for this reason that we read at Mass today…

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans

Brothers and sisters:
We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
For those he foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son,
so that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers.
And those he predestined he also called;
and those he called he also justified;
and those he justified he also glorified.