Pope's Intentions
Universal:
That the mentally disabled may receive the love and help they need for a dignified life.
For Evangelization:
That Christians, inspired by the Word of God, may serve the poor and suffering.
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Feast
Commentary of the day
Blessed Guerric of Igny (c.1080-1157), Cistercian abbot
1st Sermon for the Nativity of Mary, passim ; SC 202
"Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called the Messiah"
Today we celebrate the birthday of the blessed Virgin Mother from whom the Life of all things took his birth. Today is the birthday of that Virgin from whom the Savior of all men willed to be born in order that he might give to all who were born to death the power to be reborn to life. Today is the birthday of that new Mother who has destroyed the curse brought by the first mother so that all those who, through the fault of the first, had been born under the yoke of eternal condemnation might instead, through her, inherit a blessing. She is indeed the new Mother, for she has brought new life to her children already hardening with age and has healed the defect of both inborn and acquired senility. Yes indeed. She is the new Mother who by an unheard of miracle has given birth in such a way that, becoming a mother, she has not ceased to be a Virgin and has given birth to the Child who created all things…
It is indeed a wonderful new thing, this fruitful virginity, but far more wonderful is the novelty of the Child born of it... Do you want to know how virginity gave birth to the Savior? In the same way as the flower of the vine produces its fragrance. Long before the birth of Mary, the Spirit that was to dwell in her… said in her name: “Like the vine I have brought forth a food odor” (Sir 24,17 Vg). If ever you find the flower corrupted through giving off its sweet odor, then you may hold that my virginity was violated in giving birth to my Savior..."
In you, too, if chastity reaches perfection, not only will the bloom of it show in your body, but a certain divine holiness will take possession of your whole being. There will be no petulant or wandering gaze, but a demeanour radiant with modesty…; your whole being will be adorned with the flowers of grace and purity.