Our Mother's Birthday

Happy Birthday, Mother

This was her birthday. Dawn came early
In her party garments pearly,
Bringing gifts all diamond-bright
For her who brought the world’s first Light.

High-hedged purple asters smiled
On this fair September child.
“In heaven, where our people are,”
They said, “we call her ‘Morning Star’.”

The birds were here. They sang all day,
Though they were packed to move away--
But not without a farewell nod
From the spotless Dove of God.

The dogwoods came. With hope to please,
They wore their April dimities;
Politely talked of oil and balm,
Though they have never seen a palm.

Assumption lilies waited, tall
And elegant beside the wall;
(They once were white, the legends say,
But blushed to see her fair as they).

Late roses came. They should, you know,
As she is Rose of Jericho.
They brought perfume—fair flasks they chose.
(Vessel of Honor, Mystic Rose!)

It rained awhile, but afternoon
Brought a belated gift of June
And said the tears reminded her
Of One Who is their comforter.

Echelons of geese went by
And dipped a wing, and cried their cry;
The voice of God o’er wood and hollow--
For them—for her!—Oh, follow, follow!

Chrysanthemums were at the gate
When evening stars came, very late,
And did for her a courtly dance
Across the river’s still expanse.

Only Daphne lingered on
After other folk were gone.
We chatted then, as well we may,
About Our Sweetness, born this day.

"Party Day” by Sr. Mary Jean Dorcy, O.P. ​

​A not-praised-enough feast on the Church’s calendar is the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: one of only three nativities honored by the liturgy (alongside Our Lord and St. John the Baptist). It is only right and just that we celebrate Our Lady’s birthday as the dawn of our Day of Salvation. The moment she was created in the womb of St. Anne, an Immaculate person now lived and the afore-applied fruits of redemption walked the earth. In Our Lady’s nativity, her blessed parents Sts. Joachim and Anne beheld both promise and fulfillment: here was both the Mother and the fruit of Redemption incarnate in the newborn that snuggled soundly in St. Anne’s arms. May we celebrate fitly Our Mother’s birthday, grateful for the wonder of her maternal protection, love and intercession, and for the unpayable gift of grace and salvation brought to us through her.

Photo credit: MSSR (top) and Sant'Anna e Maria Bambina (bottom)