Today is the feast of The Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here is a reflection on the feast by Sister Irenaeus Schluttenhofer. Sister Irenaeus is a member of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. The Community's Motherhouse is in Ann Arbor, and Sister teaches at Lansing Catholic High School.

What do you give your mom for her birthday? It’s a question that requires pondering and planning each year. Is it even possible to give something that shows a fraction of the love you have for someone who gave you life and nurtured you?

To try to meet this monumental task, we might decide to give the gift of an experience - a trip, outing, or activity that honors the one we love. The family might get together at a restaurant, or bring a meal home to the one who has fed us time and again. We realize that no gift is ever really enough; the only thing we can really give is our love and presence.

Today, we celebrate the Nativity - or Birthday - of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is “our mother in the order of grace.” (CCC 968) Through her joyful assent to the Father’s will at the Annunciation, Mary became the mother of the Savior; at the Crucifixion and at Pentecost, she became the Mother of the Church. She intercedes for us always, and mediates for us graces won by her Son.

So, what should we give Mother Mary on her birthday? Like the best gift of spending time with our mom for her birthday, we are invited to spend time with Mary. This might mean praying the Rosary or making a small shrine in our homes. Just like any mom, she wants her children to be together, united in love. The Church unites most perfectly in the Mass, joining in the prayer of Christ, her son to the Eternal Father. Today, consider going to Mass for your mom’s birthday. There, we “sing praise and glory to Christ on this holy feast day of the glorious Virgin Mother of God” (Office of Readings Responsory). It’s a perfect gift. ... See MoreSee Less