An image of a young Blessed Virgin Mary is venerated at the Chapel of Holy Relics in Tabor Hills, Barangay San Jose, Cebu City as Catholics celebrate today the birth of the Blessed Mother (PHOTO FROM FR. DENNIS DUENE RUIZ, OAD).
Catholics all over the world today celebrate the traditional birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In Cebu, thousands of devotees are expected to troop to the Marian shrine in Simala, Sibonga town.
At 10 a.m., Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma will preside over the Pontifical Mass at the castle-like church dedicated to the Blessed Mother.
In other parishes and chapels in the archdiocese, all Masses today will be in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Palma earlier said the number of activities to honor the Blessed Mother is evidence that the Philippines is “Pueblo Amante de Maria (A People in Love with Mary).”
“We are proud, happy, and grateful in our devotion to Mama Mary,” he said.
He encouraged the faithful to deepen their love for Mary by understanding her role in the salvation of mankind.
There is no actual record of Mary’s date of birth in Jerusalem but Catholic tradition celebrates the event as a liturgical feast on September 8 or nine months after the solemnity of her Immaculate Conception celebrated on December 8.
Msgr. Joseph Tan, media liaison officer of the Archdiocese of Cebu, said the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary has become a popular devotion in the Philippines.
“The event resonates the culture wherein we celebrate birthdays of our loved ones. For us, this celebration inspires hope. Mary is the new Eve. She is the mother of Jesus, and the fulfillment of salvation. Her birthday is a celebration of our aspirations of a better future, putting our full trust and confidence in God’s promises,” he said in an interview.
Tan said Mary’s birthday is often celebrated by attending masses, praying the rosary, as well as offering flowers and candles to the Blessed Mother.
“But the best present we can give to Mary is to follow her virtues and characters. She was holy and free from sin. But what I want to emphasize in this Jubilee Year of Mercy is Mary’s compassion and sensitivity to the needs of others,” he said.
“She showed her being merciful when a newlywed couple ran out of wine in a wedding banquet in Cana (in Galilee). She, indeed, is the mother of mercy,” the monsignor added.
Tan encouraged the Filipinos to seek Mary’s intercession for the good of the country and its people.
“Let us offer prayers for our new president. We pray for peace and order especially in the wake of the bomb attack in Davao City, as well as, the ongoing war against illegal drugs,” he said.