The Catholic Church worldwide celebrates today, September 8, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of only three birthdays marked on the Church’s liturgical calendar, the others being the Nativity of Jesus Christ and of St. John the Baptist.
“Only three birthdays are celebrated on the Church's liturgical calendar, the Nativity of Our Lord, the Nativity of His Forerunner John the Baptist, and the Nativity of His Mother on September 8. Thus, the Church uniquely honors the three principal figures connected to the Incarnation and the Redemption,” explains Fr. John Dsilva from Sangolda.
The feast is observed exactly nine months after the Immaculate Conception (December 8), when Mary was conceived by her parents, Saints Joachim and Anne.
Traditions and Memories in Goa
For Goans, the celebration carries a strong sense of family and faith. “As children, I remember my mother who cultivated groundnuts would reserve a small basket of them for us to be boiled and relished by the family during the evening of the feast day,” recalls Joyce Carvalho from Colva.
Others remember humble offerings of flowers. Blessy Aguiar e Andrade from Colva smiles as she reminisces: “As kids, I would rush to place my flowers at Our Lady’s feet, and sometimes I would get back a mature marigold flower so I could get seeds from it, to plant in my garden. If my garden had no flowers, I would borrow from a neighbor. We never purchased them, it was a simple, pure offering.”
Origins and Traditions of Mary’s Birth
Although the Bible does not detail the circumstances of Mary’s birth, early Christian writings such as the Protoevangelium of James (2nd century) preserve traditions about her parents Joachim and Anne, their prayers during years of childlessness, and the angelic prophecy announcing Mary’s birth. These accounts, though not canonical, shaped the Church’s devotional memory of Mary’s infancy.
Majorda’s Palm-Leaf Boat Tradition
In Majorda, South Goa, parishioners of the Igreja da Mãe de Deus celebrate the Nativity with a distinctive tradition that has endured for centuries: boats made of coconut palm leaves.
According to local lore, the custom began when a group of seafarers caught in a violent storm prayed to Mary for safety, vowing to offer flowers in boats if they survived. From that day, instead of hand-held baskets, villagers carried flowers in decorated palm-leaf boats up to the altar.
Even today, villagers dedicate evenings before the feast to weaving palm leaves, later adorning the boats with flowers and lights. Once, only Majorda and Calata built boats; now, Dongorim also joins in. On the feast day, the decorated boats are paraded and displayed in front of the church before parishioners process with flowers to Mary’s statue.
A Celebration of Faith and Heritage
The Majorda feast highlights not just devotion but also unity, creativity, and eco-friendly tradition. “All participants unite as a single community, exchanging ideas, showing camaraderie, and carrying on this practice unique to Majorda Parish,” villagers say.
Revived in recent years under Fr. Ave Maria’s guidance, the tradition continues with passion and pride, reflecting Goa’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.