September 8th- Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Virgin Mary, of whom was born the Sun of Justice.... Her birth constitutes the hope and the light of salvation for the whole world.... Her image is light for the whole Christian people" All the major images of Our Lady around the monastery and in the choir and chapel are decorated with flowers as we prepare to celebrate this beautiful feast of our Lady's birthday, a feast that goes back to about the 7th century. This feast is even prioral for us which means that the prioress officiates at the Office which happens only on big feasts!

These past few days we have been having a triduum, a little retreat, to prepare for the feast. Hopefully, these days of extra silence and prayer have prepared us to give our Lady the gift she wants most: our hearts so that in turn she can give them to her Son!

Photo: the state of our Lady in the novitiate stairwell. Each dormitory has its own little niche for our Lady which is an old Dominican custom. Often, a votive light is kept lit as well.