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Show : Feast of the Virgin's Nativity. THE feast of the . Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is more ancient an-cient than that of her Immaculate Conception. It began to be celebrated on the 8th of September, about the year 436, says a writer in the Rosary Magazine. Mag-azine. About that time it was revealed to a certain holy solitary that Sept. 8 was the natal day of Mary, queen of heaven. For many years this pious client of Mary's had marvelled at the richness of a melody distinctly heard on every recurring Sept. 8. He prayed for enlightenment and an angel appeared ap-peared to him and told him that on that day was born the Immaculate Vir gin; and that though men, not knowing it, had never celebrated it, still it had always been a day of great rejoicing for the angels in heaven. When this revelation was made known the church began to observe the feast. This revelation was confirmed by a later miracle. A certain hermit, Paul by name, while engaged in meditation, noticed a light of exceeding brilliancy hovering over a neighboring chapel erected in honor of Mary. This he noticed no-ticed on the ten following nights. On the last night, which was the 8th of September, he saw the light descend and seemingly enter the chapel. Hastening Has-tening to enter and hoping to be blessed with an apparition of the Blessed Virgin, Vir-gin, he saw the light lose its brightness and gradually fade away. He prayed God to make known to him the meaning mean-ing of these strange things. It was made known to him that such things were done that the faithful might be led to duly and worthily celebrate the anniversary of Mary's birth. This light was seen by many others and because of it the reigning pontiff was induced to sanction the feast of Mary's nativity. nativ-ity. Such, in brief, is the history of the feast which we celebrate on Sept.- 8. Rosarians will not fail in rendering Mary fitting homage on this day. Slight reflection will show how much her birth meant for this sinful world. We should strive to make our devotion proportionate. |