The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Fr Dominic’s Homily

On Our Lady's birthday the Church celebrates the beginning of redemption with the appearance in the world of the Saviour's mother, Mary.

The Blessed Virgin Mary has a unique place in the history of salvation and she has the highest mission ever commended to any created person.

That's why as men serving the Church we know our place! It is the second Eve, Mary, who has the highest rank and place in the Church of Christ.

We rejoice that the Mother of God is also our Mother, too.

In the Old Testament as you know it was always the Kings Mother and never his wife who had the place of authority and reverence.

The Glastonbury statue of the Mother of God was placed in the new Lady Chapel.

During the Middle Ages, Glastonbury was an outstanding centre of pilgrimage.

The culmination of the medieval pilgrimage was 8 September (according to the old calendar), the feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, when the majority of pilgrims would come and a fair was held in the town.

Mary has many titles oneof which is "Cause of our joy" which we should call her often as she brings peace into our hearts and especially on this the day of her birthday.

Joachim and Anna were Mary's parents. We don't know much about the childhood of Mary. But we know that she had no original sin and so lived a life free from sin.

That's how she was able to make such an informed "Yes" to the Angel Gabriel.

This leads to one of Our Lady's favourite descriptions of herself- the lmmaculate Conception as she was conceived without sin. She is the sinless one.

There are so many images and statues of Our Lady. I know that you have them in your houses when I come and bless them.

They remind us that Mary is so important to us. She is looking after us and protecting us. She helps us in our relationship with Jesus.

So let us remember to thank her for all her help on this special day of her birthday.