Jean Pierre Fava on Mary’s Birthday Being Associated with Victories

"The celebration of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Eastern Church goes back to at least the 6th century. St. Romanus (490-556) composed a hymn for this feast day, while St. Andrew of Crete (660-740) delivered famous sermons on the Nativity of Our Lady. Several Marian scholars are of the opinion that the feast originated after the Council of Ephesus (431), in which Our Lady was given the title 'Theotokos' (God-bearer) — in Latin Mater Dei (Mother of God).

"The feast began to be celebrated in Rome in the 8th century with Pope Sergius I. Nevertheless, probably, it was only in the 11th century that it became widely diffused in Western Christendom. Around 1241, it also received an octave by Pope Innocent IV."

In a recent commentary, writer Jean Pierre Fava reflected on some of the reasons why Mary's birthday is associated with victories.

To access Mr. Fava's complete post, please visit:

Aleteia: Jean Pierre Fava: Why Mary’s birthday is associated with victories (8 SEP 23)