The Virgin Mary’s birthday is always celebrated on September 8 in the Church's liturgical calendar, and since it’s usually a hectic time of year for moms whose kids have just gone back to school, it can be easy to miss the event entirely.
But marking the day can be simple -- and when it comes to living out our faith amidst the demands of family life, keeping things simple is usually best way to go. These ideas take almost no planning and can help to make sure you don't let the day go by without giving thanks to God for the gift of the Blessed Mother.
Blue is one of the traditional colors of Mary. Since everyone has something blue in their closet -- a shirt, a skirt, a scarf, a pair of socks -- ask everyone to make sure they put at least one blue item on when they get dressed in the morning!
If you don't usually serve dessert after dinner, have one today. Or if you do, make this one a little extra special. If you have any birthday candles around, light one and have everyone sing Happy Birthday.
With your children, pick some wildflowers -- whatever you have around your home -- and place them near an image of Mary. If you live in the city, pop into a shop and grab a small bouquet.
While you're out and about, before school drop off, or after school pick up, stop by a local Catholic church and pay a little visit in honor of Mary. Say a Hail Mary together, or the Memorae, or sing the Regina Caeli together.
Pray a Rosary at some point in the day -- even if it's just a decade or two -- in the car, right after breakfast or lunch, or before bedtime.
If you have a book about Mary, read it aloud during mealtime or at bedtime and share with your children about what an amazing spiritual mother we have in Mary.
