The Birthday of Jesus' Mother, Mary

Kathleen Battle and Christopher Parkening Performing Live at the 1987 Grammy Awards: Bach-Gounod Ave Maria

Do you know the date of Mary's birthday?

Take a minute or two to figure that out before reading on...


Not sure? Well, you can figure it out from the church calendar. You know the day when we celebrate Mary's Immaculate Conception - December 8. Now, just count 9 months across the calendar and you’ll land on Mary's birthday - September 8 which this year falls on a Saturday.

Just the next day, September 9, two of our music ministers, Lauren Sprague (soprano) and Carol Messina (piano) will present a concert in honor of the Blessed Mother's birthday. Lauren is one of our cantors and Carol one of our accompanists. The program they have prepared presents a variety of pieces written for and inspired by Mary including: a 9th century chant setting of the Annunciation; a piece entitled “Mary Alone,” written from the perspective of a mother whose son has been killed in war; a contemporary song, “Breath of Heaven” in which Mary sings of her concerns about becoming a mother; as well as a number of musical settings of the Ave Maria prayer by lesser known composers and, of course, the two most familiar settings (Schubert and Bach/Gounod). The repertoire is quite diverse and offers something for everyone.

We will sing Evening Prayer at 7:00 p.m. and the will follow, around 7:30 p.m. There is no admission fee, but all free will offerings will benefit Rosie’s Place, a sanctuary for poor and homeless women in Boston.

Each day between now and the concert, I will post a different rendition of the Ave Maria, with a reminder about the upcoming concert date.

Ave Maria Numbered Series