Dear Father Angelo,

It’s Francesco who’s writing to you.

As a devotee of Mary, I wanted to ask you two questions:

1) Why has no Pope in history bothered to proclaim a dogma on the Nativity of Mary, as in the case of the Assumption or the Immaculate Conception?

2) Why hasn’t the Church declared it a holiday like August 15th or December 8th? I’ve noticed that in many places in Italy, like my community, ancient traditional feasts in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary are celebrated on September 8th, and it saddens me to see the hardship of many devotees in my community who, due to work, cannot participate in the festivity, or rather, in the ancient eight-hour procession (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) in which the Madonna is carried non-stop throughout the town, accompanied by ancient prayers and fasting as a sign of penance in her honor.

Tomorrow, during the Procession, I will offer a prayer to Our Lady for you, so that she may be close to you in your mission of evangelization.

Best regards,

Francesco

Response from the Priest

Dear Francesco,

1. There is no need for a dogma to establish Mary’s birth.

Only truths that have been questioned are dogmatically specified (e.g., the Assumption or exemption from original sin). But no one has ever denied that she was born and existed.

What meaning would it have to say that Mary was born? Everyone knows she was born, even those who don’t believe in her supreme sanctity.

2. The feast of Mary’s birth is very beautiful.

Instinctively, Christians should be close to Mary on the day we celebrate, so to speak, her birthday.

Just as in the natural order, there is an instinct that drives us to love mothers and to show them our affection even externally, so Christians, by a supernatural instinct, are led to show their affection and gratitude towards Mary, Mother of grace.

3. Therefore, on this feast, we have our affection and gratitude to show her.

She has her graces to bestow upon us.

4. Until the 19th century, the Nativity of Mary was also a holy day of obligation. Now it is no longer so.

It would be wonderful if Christian communities adapted their celebrations to the real possibilities of the people. I fully understand the need to celebrate Mary on such a significant and grace-filled day.

But I am certain that those who wish to do so can find ways to ensure that Mary receives their affection and their public testimony of faith.

5. I am pleased with the great demonstration you make for Our Lady.

It is certainly a day of grace for everyone.

I am also pleased with your devotion to Mary, which, according to St. Louis Grignion de Montfort, is a sure sign of predestination to salvation.

I thank you very much for your remembrance of me.

I will reciprocate in the celebration of Mass.

Now I bid you farewell and bless you.

Father Angelo

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