"For he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant." (Luke 1:48).

Reflection for the Day

Birth of the Blessed Virgin
It is traditionally believed that the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary were Joachim and Anna. We understand this from the Proto gospel of James. Joachim and Anna lived in sorrow for a long time without having been blessed by the gift of a child. They promised God that if they were blessed with a child, they would dedicate the child to God. Pleased with their relentless fasting and prayer, God blessed them with a child, Mother Mary.

Not a single being in the human race was qualified to receive the Son of God Incarnate as a mortal; only in the birth of the Virgin Mary was this desire fulfilled. Just as the morning star rises before the sunrise, the incarnation of the eternal Sun of Righteousness, was announced through the morning star, the Virgin Mary. God willed to become a mortal man to save the human race. He however, needed the consent of a woman to take on the human nature. The Blessed Virgin Mary was chosen and submitted herself for this noble cause. For this very reason the Holy Mother is immaculately beautiful and of immaculate origin.

The birth of the Virgin Mary gave the world the greatest hope. With her birth, the incarnation of the Son of God was officially inaugurated. On this day, even the inhabitants of heaven also rejoiced. She is the beloved daughter of God the Father, the Mother of God the Son, and the Bride of the Holy Spirit. If we have a sincere devotion to the Virgin Mary, our lives will be filled with joy, courage, and hope even in the midst of difficulties. Therefore, let us give Mary a befitting place in our families.

Incident to reflect for the Day
When Hitler began persecuting the Jews in Germany, many fled the country. Among them was Franz Werfel, who reached the Pyrenees Mountain Range. However, the German army surrounded him. Feeling that it was humanly impossible to escape, Werfel looked at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Lourdes, located on the slopes of the Pyrenees, and made this vow:

"Mother of Lourdes, if you are there, if you have the power, and if I escape from the hands of the German army and reach America, I will compose a musical composition about you."

Miraculously, Werfel escaped from the hands of the German army. In gratitude, he wrote the world-famous book The Song of Bernadette.

Prayer for the Day
Oh God, who blessed the world with the Virgin Birth! We adore you. We praise you, Oh loving Mother of God. Before the birth of the Messiah, the Sun of Righteousness, you gave hope to the world. Bless our efforts to know and love your divine Son. Your birth filled the heavens and earth with joy. Grant us, through your divine Son, Jesus Christ, the blessing of eternal happiness

The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate,despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Oh Holy Mary, conceived without original sin! O refuge of sinners! Here we come to your refuge. Have mercy on us and pray for us to your Son...Our Father..Hail Mary..Glory be (Repeat Three times)

Litany of Mother Mary..

Hail Holy Queen
Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our Life, our Sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then most gracious advocate, Thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us, the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us O Holy Mother of God, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
Let us pray. O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Petitions to the Holy Mother of God
• Refuge of sinners! Pray for the Holy Church..Hail Mary..
• Refuge of sinners! Pray for the conversion of the Gentiles and others..Hail Mary..
• Refuge of sinners! Pray for the political authorities to uphold truth and justice..Hail Mary..
• Refuge of sinners! Pray for the authorities of the Holy Church, such as the Pope and others..Hail Mary..
• Refuge of sinners! Pray for the souls in purgatory, who are your beloved children..Hail Mary..

Aspiration Prayer for the Day

Holy Mary, morning star, fill our lives with hope