The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the day on which Christians commemorate the birth of Mary, the Mother of God. Evidence shows that it has been celebrated as early as the sixth century. The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary spread to Rome in the seventh century, but it took a couple of more centuries before it was celebrated throughout the entire Church. Scripture does not give an account of Mary’s birth; however, noncanonical traditional documents fill in the gap. According to this tradition, Anna and Joachim are infertile but pray for a child. They receive the promise of a child who will advance God’s plan of salvation for the world. Such a story, like many biblical counterparts, stresses the special presence of God in Mary’s life from the beginning.

Prayer for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

O Virgin immaculate, thou who by a singular privilege of grace wast preserved from original sin, look in pity upon our separated brethren, who are nevertheless thy children, and call them back to the center of unity. Not a few of them, although separated from the Church, have kept a certain veneration for thee; and do thou, generous as thou art, reward them for it, by obtaining for them the grace of conversion.

Thou wast conqueror of the infernal serpent from the first instant of thy existence; renew even now, for it is now more necessary than ever before, thine ancient triumphs; glorify thy divine Son, bring back to Him the sheep that have strayed from the one fold and place them once more under the guidance of the universal Shepherd who holds the place of thy Son on earth; let it be thy glory, O Virgin who destroyest all heresies, to restore unity and peace once more to all the Christian people.

Sources:

ThoughtCo. "The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/nativity-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-542466 (accessed September 7, 2021).

Franciscan Media. “Nativity of the Blessed Virgin.” Saint of the Day. Mary. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/nativity-of-the-blessed... (accessed September 7, 2021).

ThoughtCo. "A Prayer for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/prayer-for-the-nativity-of-mary-542936 (accessed September 7, 2021).