September 8th The Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
The birth of the Blessed Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary took place in the remote and obscure little town ofNazareth, in the Galilee region of theHoly Land. That hallowed event would be an important step on the long road that led to the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of the world.
The name of the Virgin Mary’s birthplace means “the place of blossoming,” and the infinite power of that name can be seen in the unforgettable story of how the parents of the Mother of God were chosen byProvidenceto receive this holy child. Mary was the daughter of Sts. Joachim and Anna, a pious couple – both of whom were saddened and frustrated by their inability to have children until later in life, according to many accounts of the period. Because St. Anna remained barren for many years, the couple was sometimes criticized as being unworthy of God’s blessing....READ MORE 