The Nativity of Mary is now a national holiday in the Philippines

On August 14th, the president of the Philippines signed a bill declaring the September 8th Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary a “national special working holiday.”

It marks the second time the president has declared a Marian feast as a national holiday in the Philippines, following his 2017 declaration of the December 8th feast of the Immaculate Conception as a special working holiday.

There has always been a special link between the Philippines and the Virgin Mary, and in September 1942 Pope Pius XII declared Mary as the principal patroness of the nation.

One of the oldest Marian feast days on the Catholic liturgical calendar, the Nativity of Mary commemorates Mary’s birth. Though scripture itself does not speak of Mary’s birth, the oldest account is believed to come from a 2nd century apocryphal text. It has been celebrated by Catholics as early as the 6th century.

There has been no statement from the bishops’ conference, however, according to UCAnews, Father Melvin Castro, chancellor for the Diocese of Tarlac, praised Duterte’s decision, saying the new Marian holiday is a “cause for joy.”

The declaration of the feast as a national holiday “recognizes the importance of religious and spiritual celebrations,” he said, voicing hope that the Sept. 8th celebration will inspire people “to emulate and imitate the virtues of Our Lady.”

Adapted from an article by Mario Schiavone, Aug. 19, 2019, Newsbook