Nehase 21 — August 27

A Happy Feast of Our Lady Mary

Today is a special, happy feast for Our Lady Mary, the mother of Jesus. In Ethiopia this is one of the biggest days of the whole year to thank God for her.

Mary loved God with her whole heart. When God chose her to be the mother of His Son, Jesus, she said yes with joy. Because she carried Jesus, who is God, we call her the God-bearer. That is a special name that means she held the Lord in her arms when He was a tiny baby.

The Church teaches us that Mary helps the whole world. She prays for us, just like a loving mother prays for her children every single day. We thank God for giving us such a kind and gentle mother in heaven.

On this feast, families and churches sing and pray and remember how much God loves us. We greet Mary the way the angel once greeted her long ago. There is music, and candlelight, and so much joy.

Salutation to thee, O Mary.

Saint Irene, Whose Name Means Peace

Today we meet a brave girl named Saint Irene. Her name means "Peace." Her father was a king, and he loved her so much that he built her a palace with eight windows and many rooms, and a table that shone with gold. A wise teacher came each day to teach her.

One day Irene saw a dove with an olive leaf, an eagle with a crown, and a bird carrying a little snake. Her teacher told her what each one meant: the dove was God's teaching, the olive leaf was baptism, the eagle and crown were the prize for doing right, and the snake was hard times that would come. He told her she would need to be brave for Jesus.

Irene chose to love Jesus and to be baptized in the holy washing that made her part of God's family. When her father wanted her to marry, she said she belonged to God instead. This made some people angry. They tried to harm her many times, but God protected her again and again, and nothing could hurt her. When people saw how God watched over her, they believed in Jesus too. Hundreds, and then thousands, came to love God because of brave Irene!

God carried Irene safely to a city called Ephesus. There she taught about Jesus and cared for the people who came to her. At last she went home to God in great honor, and a church was built for her. Sick people who came there were made well. We send a happy greeting to Irene, the girl of peace.

O God of the Christians, have mercy upon me.— Saint Irene's prayer