HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA MARY

Over the past nine days, my kids along with around a hundred others have been attending the Marian Nativity Novena at our parish in Chembur and preparing to celebrate the birthday of Mother Mary which is celebrated today - 8th September. 

Devotions to our Blessed Mother started for me at an early age. Growing up in a parish dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and studying in a school with the same name surely helped. Also the daily Rosary at home was an absolute must - encouraged by God-fearing parents and grandmothers. 

As a teenager, I was introduced to an active church association dedicated to Mother Mary - called the Legion of Mary (Legio Mariae). Over the next decade or so, the devotion grew along with leadership skills as I took on various roles of responsibility within the Legion. Taking a cue from the role Mother Mary played in life of Jesus and others, we too were called on to be alert to the needs of those around us and to respond to those needs with love care and compassion as only Momma Mary could.

That song just came into my head this morning with the picture of a vibrant priest who was responsible for some of the best holidays we had as a family during my teen years. Fr. Robin Selwyn used to run Family Camps in the Jesuit 'St. Mary's Villa' at Khandala. A fantastic singer and guitarist, he could sing almost anything - from contemplative melodies to frivolous party songs - in his on inimitable style. Another Marian favorite that I recall him sing is the song made famous by the Beatles - Let It Be. While the original is played on the piano by Paul McCartney, I particularly like this version I found earlier today with Alicia Keys and John Legend. 

"A song that that comforted generations with it's beauty and message" - has the comforter in the person of Mother Mary who played the comforting role in God's eternal plan for salvation. Her role did not end 2000 years ago, but she still continues to be that comfort in the heavenly role as Queen and Mother... a look at the the crowds that throng to Mount Mary's -Bandra and St. Michael's Church - Mahim in Mumbai and the host of Marian Shrines in Vailankanni, Fatima, Lourdes and everywhere else is only testimony of how powerful her intercession can be. We all are blessed to have Mother Mary as our mother - and be happy to let her - Be With Us, Mary...

HAPPY FEAST

to one and all