The Church's calendar observes the birthdays of only
two saints: Saint John the Baptist, and Mary, Mother of Jesus as both were
considered sanctified before their birth. Though Scripture does not give an
account of Mary's birth; a book dating from the 2nd Century AD records that
like many biblical counterparts her parents were infertile but prayed for a
child and received the promise of a child that would advance God's plan of
salvation for the world. The actual date of Mary’s birth was not recorded but
September was considered the beginning of the year and in the Old Roman Ritual
there was a blessing of the summer harvest and fall planting of seeds for this
day. In celebrating the nativity of Mary, Christians anticipate the Incarnation
and birth of her Divine Son, and give honor to the mother of Our Lord and
Savior.
