Throughout the course of the liturgical year, there are only three birthdays which the Church has seen fit to mark on her calendar: the first and most joyful, of course, is Christmas; the second, and perhaps the most mysterious inclusion of the three, is the nativity of St. John the Baptist, which is celebrated on the 24th of June; and the third, most fittingly, is the nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which we celebrate on the 8th of September. The tradition of marking the birthday of the Blessed Mother dates back to the sixth century, and, although it is not a holy day of obligation like the celebration of her Immaculate Conception on the 8th of December, it is nevertheless a very pious thing to tenderly commemorate Our Lady’s birthday. 

Here are some ways that you and your family can mark the occasion of Our Lady’s birthday:

First, consider attending Mass. This year, of course, Mary's birthday falls on Sunday, but it will not be the case every year. Every Mass is an act of thanksgiving to the Holy Trinity, and there is no better way to thank God for creating and giving to us such a beautiful and generous Mother; and there is no better way to thank Our Lady for her fiat—the “yes!” through which our Salvation was born. 

Second, if you are not already accustomed to praying a daily rosary, consider praying a rosary by yourself, or with your family, to mark the occasion of Our Lady’s birth. John Paul II once said of the rosary that praying it is like contemplating with Mary the face of Christ. When you pray the rosary, think of it as being in conversation with Our Lady: you may be repeating the same words again and again, but speak with her in your heart. Just like you would make time to see or call your earthly mother on her birthday, make the time to sit with Our Lady by praying the rosary.

Thirdly, throw a birthday party for Our Lady! Blue is the color traditionally associated with the Blessed Mother, so make a white cake—to symbolize her purity—and decorate it with blue icing and candles. Decorate your home with roses to honor Mary under the title of Mystical Rose, and dress in blue. A few more ideas: serve blueberries (or blueberry scones!) with whipped cream and sing your favorite Marian hymns!

Finally, offer a prayer to St. Anne, the mother of Our Lady, and if you have an image of St. Anne in your home, place flowers by it! It is a good and beautiful thing to recall the sacrifices of a mother on the occasion of her child’s birthday.

It was St. Anne who conceived Mary, the Immaculate Conception, in her womb; it was she who labored and delivered her. And it was she who cradled, nursed, and raised the girl who would one day become the Mother of God.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

St. Anne, pray for us!