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8th September - Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Venerated in - Catholic Church, Anglican Communion, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches Feast - September 8: Western Christianity and part of the Eastern churches, September 21 [O.S. September 8]: Most Oriental Orthodox and part of the Eastern Orthodox churches., May 9: The Coptic Orthodox and Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. Attributes - Birth of Mary, by her mother Saint Anne Patronage - Senglea, Malta – Virgin of Nativity, Mellieħa, Malta, Naxxar, Malta, Xagħra, Gozo, Cuba – Our Lady of Charity, Borongan, Philippines, Vailankanni, India – Our Lady of Good Health, Pampanga, Philippines – Virgin of Remedies, Egypt - Our Lady of Zeitoun, Order of Slaves of the Immaculate Child, Order of Sisters of Charity of the Maria Bambina, St Mary's Syrian Cathedral Manarcad, Kerala, Our Lady's Nativity Parish, Pangil, Laguna, Philippines "God sent forth his son", but to prepare a body for him, he wanted the free co-operation of a creature. For this, from all eternity God chose the mother of his Son a daughter of Israel, a young Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee, "a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary". Catechism of the Catholic Church 488. Impart to your servants, we pray, O Lord, the gift of heavenly grace, that the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin may bring deeper peace to those for whom the birth of your Son was the dawning of salvation. See also: |
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9th September - Memorial at choice of St. Peter Claver, Priest. Born - 26 June 1580, Verdú, Urgell, Lleida, Catalonia Died - 8 September 1654 (aged 74), Cartagena, New Kingdom of Granada, Spanish Empire Venerated in - Catholic Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Beatified - 20 July 1850, Rome, Papal States by Pope Pius IX Canonized - 15 January 1888, Rome, Italy by Pope Leo XIII Major shrine - Church of Saint Peter Claver, Cartagena, Colombia Patronage - Slaves, Colombia, race relations, ministry to African-Americans, seafarers Peter Claver was born in 1580 at Verdu in Catalonia becoming a Jesuit in 1600. After studying theology at Barcelona he went to Cartagena in Columbia where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1615. Cartagena was then the centre of the slave trade with an estimated 10,000 arriving every year. Much of Peter Claver’s ministry was to the newly arrived slaves who on were deprived of care or medical attention of any kind. He would visit them with medicine, food, brandy, lemons and tobacco, with a band of helpers who also acted as interpreters he would teach them the principal truths of Christianity and would prepare the slaves for baptism inspiring them with some idea of their dignity and worth as men redeemed. In 1650 he was taken ill while preaching from which he never fully recovered. He died in 1654 and was canonized in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII and declared patron of all missionary enterprises amongst the African nations. O God, who made Saint Peter Claver a slave of slaves and strengthened him with wonderful charity and patience as he came to their help, grant, through his intercession, that, seeking the things of Jesus Christ, we may love our neighbour in deeds and in truth. See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Claver |
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10th September - Memorial in Oxfordshire of Blessed Angellus of Pisa. Born - c. 1195, Pisa, Republic of Pisa Died - May 7, 1236, Oxford, England Venerated in - Roman Catholic Church, (Order of Friars Minor) Beatified - 1882 by Pope Leo XIII Feast - 7 May (Italy) 10 September (England) Born c. 1195 into the Italian nobility he was received into the Franciscans by St. Francis himself. In 1224 he was appointed by St. Francis to introduce the Franciscans into England and with eight associates he founded houses in London and Canterbury, the a school for friars in Oxford. He was a friend of King Henry III and helped prevent civil war between Henry and Earl Marshall. Known for his personal piety and his strict adherence to the Franciscan Rule, especially on the matter of poverty. He died in 1236 in Oxford and his body was found to be incorrupt when the house was dissolved by Henry VIII. He was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1892. O God, who through your Beatified have given an example and brought us protection in our weakness to help us tread the path of salvation, mercifully grant that we, who honour the heavenly birthday of Blessed Angellus of Pisa, may, through his example, make our way to you. See also: https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01212c.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnellus_of_Pisa https://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/blessed-agnellus-of-pisa.html |
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12th September Optional memorial of the Most Holy Name of Mary. This feast is a counterpart to the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus (3rd January); both have the possibility of uniting people easily divided on other matters. The feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary began in Spain in 1513 and in 1671 was extended to all of Spain and the Kingdom of Naples. In 1683, John Sobieski, King of Poland, brought an army to the outskirts of Vienna to stop the advance of Muslim armies loyal to Mohammed IV in Constantinople. After Sobieski entrusted himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he and his soldiers thoroughly defeated the Muslims. Pope Innocent XI extended this feast to the entire Church. 'Look to the star of the sea, call upon Mary … in danger, in distress, in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary. May her name never be far from your lips, or far from your heart … If you follow her, you will not stray; if you pray to her, you will not despair; if you turn your thoughts to her, you will not err. If she holds you, you will not fall; if she protects you, you need not fear; if she is your guide, you will not tire; if she is gracious to you, you will surely reach your destination' (Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, address at Heiligenkreuz Abbey, 9th September 2007). Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, all who celebrate the glorious Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she may obtain your special favour. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10673b.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Most_Holy_Name_of_the_Blessed_Virgin_Mary |