In the Church’s Liturgy, only three individuals have a celebration of their birth: Jesus, John the Baptist and Mary. Today, we celebrate the gift of Mary’s birth and every human being who has ever lived, is living now, or will be living in the future can thank her. Mary, without help from any man, allowed the Holy Spirit to overshadow her, making the conception of Jesus a reality. Jesus received His DNA only from Mary, a descendant from King David’s ancestral line; Joseph, himself, surrendered to God’s plan in humility.

Many years ago, a nun at Holy Family hospital took me in her care while my mom visited my father who just had surgery. She brought me in the chapel and talked to me about Jesus in the tabernacle and Mary. She gave me a beautiful and powerful memory that continues to transform me. It doesn’t take a whole lot. Weekly prayers at a Parish novena in honor of Mary is also in the great storehouse of memory.

Mary, Mother of us all, continues to love us and care for us as any mother would do. She is weeping over what happens to children at the hands of those who abuse. But she must be very angry at us shepherds who let this tragedy continue, hidden in shame, but now being exposed. On this, the day we celebrate her birth, I thank Mary for giving the world its Savior, the One she nourished at her breasts, fed, taught to pray and walk. She stayed with Jesus, her Son, through His rejection, suffering, crucifixion and death on the Cross; she was with the Apostles in the Upper Room as the Spirit filled them at Pentecost; she was already Spirit filled.

During these times of pain and scandal, may the beads of the rosary guide us through the mysteries of the Lord and into His Kingdom where all children will be safe.