For those of us in North Florida, we wait….Watching as the path of hurricane Irma shifts and turns…we hold our breath…waiting… and praying…Much like those who are awaiting the birth of a baby…and praying that everything will go well…We are praying that God will watch over all those involved and keep everyone safe…there are those moments in our lives that lead our hearts to prayer…today is one such day.

In the Traditional calendar of the Holy Mother Church, September 8th is celebrated as the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, reminding us once again about the Feast of her Immaculate Conception on December 8th, when she was Immaculately conceived in the womb of her mother Anne.

Saint John Damascene said: ” The day of the Nativity of the Mother of God is a day of universal joy, because through the Mother of God, the entire human race was renewed, and the sorrow of the first mother, Eve, was transformed to joy.”

Of all the creatures ever created, Mary was chosen…was born to be the Mother of the Savior of the world. Not only was She chosen as the Mother of God, but the spiritual Mother of all men as well …The holiest of all God’s creatures, and because of her Son’s infinite merits, She was conceived and born immaculate…and full of grace…She was unmarred by the stain of Original sin…It is through her, as Queen of Heaven and of earth….that grace was given to men…It was her Yes…her fiat…which allowed that the Son of God made-Man, would come into the world and redeem mankind, and it was through Her, by the Will of the Trinity, that the unbelieving would receive the gift of Faith, and it is through her intercession, still, that the afflicted are able to seek out God’s mercy.

In the history of the salvation of man, the Blessed Virgin occupies a special place. She was given by the Lord, the highest mission ever commended to any creature…to be the Mother of Jesus…to be the Mother of God!  It is only right that we should rejoice that the Mother of God is our Mother too. Going to her often, as we would our own earthly mother, with all of our needs and requests, asking Her to intercede on our behalf with Her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.

So as we wait…a bit anxious waiting for the coming storm, let us first rejoice at the enormity of this special Feast and then let us ask the Blessed Mother for her intercession, that with God’s grace we may overcome our feelings of fear and trepidation at the enormity of hurricane Irma… and  that we may have the strength we need to face whatever comes our way…storms included…Knowing that God is always listening, always waiting…but let us also remember…that His Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, is never far from His side…and ever near to us as we pray…..

The Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help or sought your intercession,
was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence,
I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;
to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in your mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.