By MKHOKHELI K. ZIBENGWA
Today, September 8th, is a day of great significance for Catholics around the world. It marks the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, and the 150th anniversary of the Societas Verbi Divini (SVD) congregation, a global missionary organization dedicated to spreading the Word of God.
Mary's life is a testament to her profound faith, obedience, and devotion to God. According to the New Testament, she was a young virgin living in Nazareth when she was chosen by God to bear His son, Jesus Christ. Her response to the angel Gabriel's announcement, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38), is a testament to her humility and trust in God's plan.
Throughout her life, Mary exemplified the virtues of faith, hope, and charity. She stood by her son at the foot of the Cross, sharing in his sufferings and pain. Her unwavering trust in God, even in the face of uncertainty and hardship, is an inspiration to Christians everywhere.
Mary's birthday is celebrated on September 8th, exactly nine months after the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which commemorates the conception of Mary without sin. This day is a celebration of Mary's life, her virtues, and her role in the salvation story.
For Catholics, Mary is more than just the mother of Jesus; she is the Mother of the Church, a model of faith and devotion, and an intercessor before God. Her birthday is an opportunity for believers to seek her intercession, to ask for her guidance and protection, and to reflect on the values she embodied.
As we celebrate Mary's birthday, we also mark a significant milestone in the history of the Catholic Church: the 150th anniversary of the Societas Verbi Divini (SVD) congregation. Founded in 1875 by Saint Arnold Janssen, the SVD congregation is a global missionary organization dedicated to spreading the Word of God to all nations.
With a presence in over 70 countries, the SVD congregation has been at the forefront of missionary work, education, and social service for over a century and a half. Their mission is rooted in the values of faith, community, and service, and has taken them to some of the most remote and underserved regions of the world.
As we celebrate Mary's birthday and the 150th anniversary of the SVD congregation, we are reminded of the importance of faith, service, and devotion in our lives. Mary's life is a model of obedience, humility, and trust in God's plan, while the SVD congregation's missionary work is a testament to the power of faith and service.
The two celebrations are closely intertwined, for Mary, the Mother of God, is the ultimate model of missionary service. Her life was one of total surrender to God's will, and her son, Jesus Christ, is the greatest missionary of all time.
As we reflect on these two celebrations, we are called to emulate the values of Mary and the SVD congregation: to serve others with humility and charity, to spread the Word of God to all nations, and to trust in God's plan, even in the face of uncertainty and hardship.
Today, as we celebrate the birthday of Mother Mary and the 150th anniversary of the Societas Verbi Divini congregation, we are reminded of the importance of faith, devotion, and service in our lives. May Mary, the Mother of God, be our guide and inspiration, as we strive to live out our Christian values in the world. May the SVD congregation's missionary work be a beacon of hope and light to all nations, and may we, too, be drawn to a life of service and devotion to God.
