Nativity of Mother Mary, September 8th ---PRAYER SERVICE, INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY

***Nativity of Mother Mary***, ***September 8th ---PRAYER SERVICE*** **Introductory Prayer** Today the heavens sing with joy, The angels praise your holy name; A precious gift from God above, A mother pure, a heart of love. Happy Birthday, Mother Mary, Our gentle Mother, loving and true; With hearts of joy and grateful love, We offer this day to you. A rose we bring, so pure and bright, A candle glowing with gentle light; Our prayers we place within your hands, To guide our hearts and bless our lands. You said “yes” to God with grace, And carried Jesus, our saving grace; Your humble heart, your trusting way, Teach us to follow God each day. Be near us, Mother, through every hour, Cover us with your gentle power; Walk with us wherever we go, And lead us where your Son does flow. So on this day of your holy birth, We thank the Lord for your precious worth; With joyful hearts, we sing and pray: “Dear Mother Mary, Happy Birthday! We love you, we honour you, And stay forever close to you.” ANGELUS IS SUNG  and BELL RINGS ***FLORAL GREETINGS *** [ White rose flowers with the words ***Mary, we love you*** arranged for the offering ] The Church celebrates September 8 as the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, meaning the birthday of Mother Mary. It is an important Marian feast because Mary’s birth is understood as part of God’s loving plan for the salvation of humanity. The date September 8 comes from the ancient tradition of the Church. The feast was celebrated in the Christian East by the 6th century and later spread to the Western Church. The date is traditionally connected with the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Anne in Jerusalem, associated with the traditional birthplace of Mary. September 8 is exactly nine months after December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. This gives the Church’s liturgical calendar a beautiful connection between Mary’s conception and her birth. The Church celebrates Mary’s birth because she was chosen to become the Mother of Jesus Christ, and through her “Yes” to God, she cooperated uniquely in God’s plan of salvation. 🌸 Spiritual significance Mary’s birth is seen as the dawn before the coming of Christ, the Light of the World. Her Nativity reminds us that God prepares people and events patiently for His saving plan. “Today we celebrate not simply the birth of Mary, but the birth of the woman chosen by God to become the Mother of our Saviour. Her birth brings us joy because through her humble ‘Yes,’ the dawn of our salvation was prepared. As we celebrate her Nativity, may we too learn from Mary to say ‘Yes’ to God with faith, humility and love.” Let us all greet our blessed mother by offering  the white flowers expressing our love and reverence to her. ***------HYMN------*** ***DEVOTION TO MOTHER MARY*** **Garland** – Symbol of Purity “Dear Mother Mary, we offer these garland as a symbol of your purity and holiness. Help us to keep our hearts pure and pleasing to God.” Let's garland our mother. You are the honour, you are the glory of your people Holy virgin Mary   [ chorus is sung   ----twice] 👑 **Crown** – Symbol of Honour “Mother Mary, we offer this crown as a sign of our love and honour. You are our Queen and our Mother. Intercede for us and lead us always closer to your Son, Jesus.” Let' s crown our mother. You are the honour, you are the glory of your people Holy virgin Mary   [ chorus is sung   ----twice] **Sandal Paste**----Symbol of devotion Mary, our beloved Mother, we honour you by placing the sandal paste  as a sign of our devotion. You are our guide and comforter.   Let's honour her. You are the honour, you are the glory of your people Holy virgin Mary   [ chorus is sung   ----twice] 🕯️ **Candle** – Symbol of Faith and Light “Mother Mary, we offer this candle as a symbol of our faith. Help us to be lights to others, just as you brought the Light of Christ into the world.” You are the honour, you are the glory of your people Holy virgin Mary   [ chorus is sung   ----twice] ***----Reading----*** **Micah 5:2–5a** “From you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel.” This reading can be connected beautifully with Mary because it points towards the coming of the Messiah. Mary’s birth prepares the way for the coming of Jesus, the Saviour. Mary does not keep God’s grace for herself. She recognizes God’s goodness in her life and gives Him all the glory. God works quietly and patiently in human history. The birth of Mary may have seemed like an ordinary event, yet God had a wonderful plan hidden within it. This reminds us that our own lives, too, have a purpose in God’s plan, even when we cannot see it immediately. Mary teaches us the beauty of humility, obedience, purity, faith and loving service. She did not seek greatness for herself; she simply allowed God to work through her. Her “Yes” changed the course of salvation history. As we celebrate the joyful feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us turn our hearts to Mary, the humble handmaid of the Lord. Filled with gratitude and wonder at the great things God had done for her, Mary raised her heart in praise and proclaimed the beautiful hymn of thanksgiving—the Magnificat. In her song, Mary magnifies the Lord for His mercy, His faithfulness, and His love. She teaches us to recognize God's presence in our lives, to remain humble before Him, and to praise Him for all His blessings. With Mary, let us also proclaim the greatness of the Lord. May our hearts overflow with gratitude as we sing her song of praise: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.” Let us now prayerfully and joyfully sing the Magnificat, joining our voices with Mary in praising the Lord. ***MAGNIFICAT IS SUNG GLORIOUSLY*** September 8 is also observed as International Literacy Day, proclaimed by UNESCO, reminding the world of the importance of education and literacy for human dignity, development and peace. For us, therefore, September 8 can carry a beautiful twofold message: Mary, the Mother of Jesus, teaches us faith, humility and loving service; International Literacy Day reminds us of our responsibility to educate, empower and uplift others. **Let's pray in silence.** **Intercessory Prayers** 1. For childless couples For all married couples who long to be blessed with the gift of children, that through the loving intercession of Mother Mary, they may receive strength, hope and consolation, and, according to God’s will, experience the joy of parenthood. Let us pray to the Lord. 2. For the safety of all children For all children in our families, schools and society, that Mother Mary, who tenderly cared for Jesus, may protect them from every danger and harm, guide their steps, and surround them with loving and caring hearts. Let us pray to the Lord. 3. For those celebrating their birthdays For all those who celebrate their birthdays today, that through the intercession of Mother Mary, they may be blessed with good health, joy, peace and abundant grace, and continue to grow in love of God and service of others. Let us pray to the Lord. 4. For all the faithful For all the faithful of the Church, that inspired by the unwavering faith and humble obedience of Mother Mary, we may grow stronger in our faith, remain faithful to God in every circumstance, and become witnesses of His love in the world. Let us pray to the Lord. 5. For the leaders For all the leaders and administrators and educational institutions, that guided by wisdom, justice and compassion, they may safeguard the dignity of every human person, promote truth and goodness, and work tirelessly for a more humane and peaceful society. Let us pray to the Lord. *** Concluding Prayer*** Loving and gracious God, we thank You for the gift of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose beautiful birth we celebrate today with joy and gratitude. Thank You for choosing Mary to be the Mother of Your Son, for filling her heart with grace, and for giving her to us as our loving Mother and model of faith. Happy Birthday, Mother Mary Today we bring our hearts to you, With love so tender, pure and true. A birthday song we gladly raise, To honour you with joyful praise. You were God's humble, faithful one, The chosen Mother of His Son. Your “Yes” became a light so bright, That filled the world with God's own light. You teach us how to trust and pray, To walk with God each passing day. To serve with love, to gently care, And bring God's kindness everywhere. Accept, dear Mother, all we bring— Our hopes, our dreams, our everything. Stay close to us, both night and day, And lead us gently in your way. Happy Birthday, Mother dear! May your love remain forever near. With Jesus, guide us from above, And fill our hearts with faith and love. Mother Mary, you teach us to trust God even when we do not understand His ways. You teach us humility, obedience, courage and loving service. Help us to follow your example and to say a sincere “Yes” to God every day. As we celebrate your birthday, dear Mother, may our hearts become more like yours— pure in love, strong in faith, generous in service and always open to God's will. Bless our families, our communities, our children and our young people. Bless all those who are struggling, lonely, sick or in need of hope. May your motherly care accompany us and lead us always closer to Jesus. Dear Mother Mary, receive our prayers, our gratitude and our love. May we carry the joy of your birthday into the world by becoming instruments of peace, compassion and kindness. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen. ***FINAL HYMN***