CELEBRATING THE VIRGIN MARY'S BIRTHDAY
Here are 5 unique suggestions to celebrate Mary’s birthday
With so many of her birthdays neglected and so many of her children
neglecting it, it should be obvious that we need to first apologize to
her in a form of reparation. Imagine if we didn’t celebrate our own
mother’s birthday, we would never hear the end of it.
- Celebrate with Feasting and Libations
Why not? Some Catholics have the false idea that if it’s religious
then it can only be celebrated with prayer, fasting and penances. We are
not ruling these out. Consider this, in the old testament, feasting and
libations are mandated by God. (Lev 23:37)
Feasting means nothing more than having a special meal, ideally full
of symbolisms, like having lamb or cooking with Rosemary or marjoram,
spices names after Our lady.
Libations is the religious drinking of wine as an offering. Just as
we celebrate important events, like a wedding, a graduation, or an
important business transaction with a champagne bottle or wine; why
shouldn’t we celebrate Our Lady’s birthday with libation? Obviously,
everything must be done in virtue of moderation.
After all, Jesus became the patron saint of winemakers making really
good wine at the wedding of Cana at the very request of Mary.
- Tell Marvelous Stories about Our Lady
Just like in most good birthday celebrations, stories and anecdotes
about the person are recounted. Why not do the same for Our Lady’s
celebration? Each family has anecdotes of miracles and favors granted
them. Then, there are the other stories passed down by Catholic
Tradition. If you need a primer, read The Glories of Mary by St.
Alphonsus Ligouri. This book contains a treasury of marvelous miracles
performed by the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- Light a candle as a family
Making the celebration public by lighting a candle as a family is a
good way. It’s one thing to praise our own mothers in the privacy of our
home but doing it in public is even more special. Why not for Our Lady?
Getting together as many of your family to light a votive candle is a
public act of devotion to Her.
- Do a pilgrimage to a local shrine
Finally, visit her statue in a local shrine. Many travel to celebrate
our own mother’s birthday. Why not for Our Lady? Official shrines have
special blessings attached to them. The prayers of so many pilgrims
attract the attention of Our Lady, the angels and the saints in a
special way.
These suggestions are not the only ideas you can do to celebrate
Mary’s birthday. There are the common ones that are also good: rosary,
novenas, fasting, almsgiving, etc. But, why not celebrate Our Lady’s
birthday in style once in a while, especially, when so many have
neglected it for so long?
Thanks to:
http://www.catholic365.com/article/2298/why-catholics-dont-celebrate-marys-birthday-5-unique-ways-you-can.html
