A Shepherd's Message - Sept. 8, 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Having a devotion to Mary was an important part of my upbringing. In our home, there were pictures and statues of Our Lady. I remember my father telling me the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe appearing to St. Juan Diego and also accompanying him to celebrate Mass on Dec. 12. Those early memories stay very close to my heart because they helped form my faith from a young age.

Years later, after my ordination to the priesthood, I had the privilege of traveling with my mother and father to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Being together in that sacred place and praying before the image of Our Lady and celebrating Mass with my parents was a rare and blessed occasion that still moves me to this day. That experience reminded me once again of the important role that family plays in passing on the Catholic faith from one generation to the next.

This reality comes into focus each year on Sept. 8, when the Church celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Annually, the Church celebrates the birth of three persons: Our Lord Jesus Christ at Christmas, St. John the Baptist on June 24 and the Blessed Virgin Mary on Sept. 8. 

The Church gives special prominence to John the Baptist and Our Lady because they are directly connected to the mystery of salvation. Nine months after we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8, when Mary was conceived without original sin, the Church celebrates her birth. Mary’s nativity reminds us that before the Incarnation, God was already preparing the way for the coming of His Son through the context of a human family. 

Mary’s birth brings great hope to families because it reminds us that God works through the ordinary moments of human life and through the family. God does not set aside our humanity to save us; rather, He works through it. Mary was born into a family. She had a mother and a father. She grew up as a child; she learned to pray; she cherished her Jewish traditions; and, most of all, she grew as a person of faith, placing her trust in God. 

Although Sacred Scripture tells us very little about Mary’s childhood, that hidden period of her life offers an important lesson. Long before the angel Gabriel appeared to her at the Annunciation, Mary was being formed within the daily rhythms of a faithful Jewish household. She learned prayers from her parents, Sts. Anne and Joachim. She came to know the Psalms and the history of God’s saving action among His people. She learned to trust in God’s promises and to await the coming of the Messiah.

God continues to work today within the context of our families, which should be a source of hope and encouragement for each of us. Whether someone is called to marriage, priesthood or religious life, these vocations begin in the home, within the context of a family. Parents have the responsibility not only to provide for their children’s physical needs but also for their spiritual needs. Parents teach their children to pray. They teach them to make the Sign of the Cross, pray before meals, pray the Rosary, and especially bring them to celebrate Mass and grow in love with the Eucharist. These simple practices help children develop a lifelong relationship with God.

Growing up in a family of five children, I remember the joy and excitement we felt when my parents brought home a new baby. Our new brother or sister reminded us of the goodness of God and the blessing of life. The birth of a child is one of the clearest signs of hope that God gives to the world. Husbands and wives should remain open to the gift of new life, recognizing that every child is a blessing and a sign of God’s blessing.

Mary’s life illustrates this beautifully. She grew up within a family, entered into marriage with Joseph and fulfilled her unique vocation as the Mother of God. Yet she was also the perfect disciple. Throughout her life, she trusted God completely, accompanied her Son and remained faithful to Him even while Jesus was dying on the cross. She teaches us what it means to follow Christ with humility, faith and love.

Parents have a wonderful opportunity to pass on to their children the love for Our Lady and what the Church teaches about her. Mary helps us come to a deeper understanding of her Son, Jesus Christ. Every feast of Mary points us toward the mystery of salvation found in her Son. 

As we celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we thank God for the gift of families, for the gift of faith and for the example of Our Lady, who always leads us closer to Jesus.