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 Presentation of Mary at the Temple Scott 1213 (2002) September 8 on the Catholic liturgical calendar marks the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. This feast has been celebrated since the sixth century, with a September date being chosen since the Eastern Church year begins in September. In addition, the date falls exactly nine months following the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated on December 8. Due to her Immaculate Conception, Mary is venerated for being 'holy' both prior to and at the time of her birth. The Church commemorates most saints on the dates of their deaths. In the case of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Church celebrates her conception (December 8). date of birth (September 8) and Assumption (August 15). In addition, many venerations of the Blessed Mother are also commemorated on the Liturgical Calendar. For example, in September are the feasts of "The Most Holy Name of Mary" (September 12) and "Our Lady of Sorrows" (September 15). All these events emphasize Mary's special role in our salvation. None of the four Gospels (James, John, Luke or Matthew) discuss or record Mary's birth. The earliest written account of Mary's birth is found in the apocryphal Gospel of James from the late second century. This account also identifies Mary's parents, now venerated as Saint Anne and Saint Joachim. Although having no historical basis, James's account helps to emphasize God's special presence in Mary’s life from its very beginning. Chapter 5:2 recounts Mary's birth: "And about six months were completed, and in the seventh month she gave birth. And Anna said to her midwife, 'What is it?' And the midwife said, 'It’s a girl!' And Anna said, 'My soul is magnified this day!' And she laid down her child. And when her days were completed, Anna...gave her the name Mary."No stamps have been issued to date by Vatican City specifically commemorating the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The stamp shown above, from the 'Our Lady in the Vatican Basilica' definitive series (Scott 1213), represents the depiction of Mary at the youngest age seen on a Vatican stamp, when, as a young girl, she is presented in the temple. Her birth is presented in this fresco by the early Renaissance master, Giotto, "The Birth of the Virgin", dating to around 1305:  "Birth of the Virgin", by Giotto di Bondone (circa 1305) Scrovegni Chapel (Arena Chapel), Padua, Italy From Wikimedia Commons, in the Public Domain In Giotto's fresco, multiple events are presented and, in fact, Mary is shown two times. First, she is in the foreground at the bottom of the work, being fed by one of the maidens, and again, in the main section of the frame, being passed from one of the maidens to her mother, Saint Anne. The work is part of the brilliant fresco cycle painted by Giotto between 1303 and 1305 at the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua. REFERENCES: |
