St. Luke's Catholic Church

09/08/2026

09/08/2026

HOW DID THE CHURCH KNOW THAT MARY’S BIRTHDAY IS SEPTEMBER 8?

Every year, on September 8, Catholics around the world celebrate something incredibly beautiful:
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary — the birth of Mother Mary.
But there is a mystery…
Did someone actually find Mary's birth certificate? No.
The Bible does not give us the exact date of Mary's birth.
So where did September 8 come from?
The story goes back to the ancient Church.
In the early centuries of Christianity, Christians began honoring the places and events connected with the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
By the 5th century, a feast celebrating Mary's birth was already being observed in Jerusalem.
According to ancient Christian tradition, the feast was associated with a church built near what was believed to be the home of Mary's parents, Saints Joachim and Anne.
The celebration gradually spread.
Then, in the 7th century, the feast became established in Rome under Pope Sergius I, who promoted a solemn celebration of Mary's Nativity.
But why September 8?
Here comes the beautiful part.
The date appears to have been connected with the ancient Eastern Christian liturgical calendar and the dedication of a church in Jerusalem associated with Mary's birth.
And there is another fascinating connection…
September 8 is exactly nine months after December 8 — the Solemnity of Mary's Immaculate Conception.
December 8 → Mary's conception
September 8 → Mary's birth
Nine months.
A beautiful liturgical rhythm.
The Church therefore does not say:
“Here is the historical document proving Mary was born on September 8.”
Instead, September 8 is an ancient and treasured Christian tradition handed down through the Church's liturgical life.
And perhaps the most beautiful thought is this: Before Mary became the mother who stood beneath the Cross… Before she carried Jesus in her arms…Before she said,
“Let it be to me according to your word.”
There was simply a little girl…
Born into the world according to God's mysterious plan.
Mary's birthday reminds us that God can prepare something extraordinary through an apparently ordinary beginning.
Her life began quietly. But through her “YES”, the Savior of the world entered human history.
Happy Birthday, Blessed Virgin Mary!
May your “YES” to God inspire our own.
September 8 — The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Source: Catholic Online

09/08/2026

GOSPEL

Longer Form Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king.

David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.”