The Church celebrates the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Sept. 8. We do not have clear evidence for when she was actually born, but that is the day on which we choose to honor her birth.
    
Birthdays are important. When we celebrate a birthday, we are saying that we are glad that you were born. You are important to us, and we love you. That is what we are saying when we celebrate Mary’s birthday as well.
    
Make sure to say a rosary this Monday, Sept. 8.

The Jews celebrated the giving of a name to a newborn child a few days after birth. This Friday, Sept. 12, is the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary. In Hebrew the name of Mary is Miryam, and in Aramaic, the language spoken at the time of Jesus and Mary, it was Mariam. It was associated with the word Mara, which means bitter.  In Latin it is related to the word maris, which means sea.  She is often called Star of the Sea. St. Jerome, looking to the word “mar,” meaning “Lord,” said that her name means “Lady.”
    
We honor Mary and her name, a name that we call out in our prayer.

St. John was a 4th-century bishop and Father of the Church. His writings are very important in the history of theological progress. He was known for the beauty of his sermons, many of which are still available. Therefore, he was known as Chrysostom, which means “Golden Mouth.”