I was listening to the Mass from St. Patrick's Cathedral this week, and one day, I think it was last Tuesday but am not sure, they were having Mass in recognition of the birth of the Mary. My question is, do Catholics have a specific day on the calendar where they recognize Mary's birth, and do they have specific days where they recognize the birth of people like St. Paul, St. Peter, St. John, etc.? Since we recognize secular figures on our calendar, I kind of like the idea of giving recognition to departed saints. Just curious?

Mary's birthday is supposedly Sept. 8th. I think it comes from one of the books that we don't consider part of the Bible. I know one of those speaks of Mary's life outside what we know from the Bible. The books and information as I understand it, do not contradict scripture, but do add a lot of information concerning her. Those other books may be factual, but we don't consider them as inspired of God.

Thanks Other One. That was very helpful. I had asked a Catholic lady at a store I deliver to in Michigan about that last week and she didn't know the answer. Do you know if the Catholic Church celebrates the birth date of any of the Biblical saints?

Thanks for your question, Butero!

Yes, the Church does recognize other saints with a "feast day". This may be the date of their birth, if known, or the date of their martyrdom.

http://www.catholic.org/saints/f_day/sep.php

The birth date of Mary was chosen by the early Church to relate to the date of the feast of the Immaculate Conception---Dec. 8 (which commemorates Mary's conception not that of Jesus as is sometimes thought).

other one is correct that some of the historical information on the saints comes from non-Scriptural sources which are not considered inspired but are important as references.

One thing that I think is important to add:

When the Catholic Church honors Mary, that honor always reflects the glory of God and flows from His grace. Mary was created by God to become the Mother of Jesus, and by His grace alone, and the application of the saving power of the Cross ("preemptively" as God exists outside of time) the Church teaches that Mary was conceived without sin.

In honoring the feast days of Mary, we not only reflect on Mary as the perfect role model, but more importantly on God's grace to us all.

Peace,
Chaqar

*diz *diz *diz ok sorry for my ignorance and I REALLY am not knocking any beliefs but I always thought that the ONLY person who was concieved " without sin " was Jesus ????????
If Mary was also the result of an " immaculate conception " then wouldnt that make her Gods daughter and therefore Jesus' brother ???? **er**

And you are right ...I am one of those that thought the celebration of the immaculate comception was for Jesus and I could never work out why the pregnancy lasted more than 12 months :wub:

The confusion is understandable....and common.

In answer to your question though, Pear, Mary is a creature of God just as you are I. And she is only "God's daughter" in the same sense as we all are.

Most denominations do not recognize the Immaculate Conception of Mary and I respect that. But the Catholic Church teaches that God saved Mary from sin at the moment of her conception in preparation to carry the sinless, Divine Saviour in her womb.

Peace,
Chaqar

ok ::hgg5:: well Mary must have been very special in order for her to be chosen for such an awsome task .........I have to say every time I think of it ( and as a teacher I had the privilage of taking many " assemblies " where I refused to follow the normal " Christmas service " with lots of jolly fun times when I had junior aged children. They actually listened and it made them think when they had the less glamourised more factual version ) ... How would I have felt to be told that I had the responsibility for bringing up GOD *diz *diz *diz *diz

The date St. Patrick's Cathedral was recognizing as Mary's birthday was September 8. Here is what I was wondering?

1. Does the church have a reason for believing this was the actual date of her birth? Based on what you have said and Other One as well, it appears that they do. September 8 would be 9 months from December 8, the day the Catholic Church recognizes as the date of immaculate conception.

2. Does the church recognize the birth date of other saints? You answered that question.

If you don't mind taking the time to list them, I would appreciate knowing the dates recognized by the Catholic Church to honor the differen't saints? We give honor to people on various dates that have done things we look at as of great significance, but I feel like remembering those who have served God, our Christian heritage, is even more important. The Bible speaks about a "cloud of witnesses" in Hebrews 12:1

WHEREFORE seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

If we look back at the way the early saints conducted themselves, it is an encouragement to continue to run the race and not give up when times get hard.

Hi Butero,
The Church honors saints for their service to God, but also points to their lives as models for the rest of us.

No, the Church does not claim to know the actual date of Mary's birth. In fact, I think different dates were and are used by the various Catholic rites.

The link I provided in a previous post should give you a fairly comprehensive list of feast days.

Peace,
Chaqar

:wub: