Today’s Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God is a very appropriate way to begin a New Year. This celebration reminds us that the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, is also our Heavenly Mother. This is an occasion to renew our devotion to Mary, who is also Mother of the Church because she is our spiritual mother — and we are the Church.
In 1970, Pope St. Paul VI instituted this Solemnity when he wrote in his encyclical on devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Marialis Cultus: “This celebration, assigned to January 1 in conformity with the ancient liturgy of the city of Rome, is meant to commemorate the part played by Mary in this mystery of salvation. It is meant also to exalt the singular dignity which this mystery brings to the ‘holy Mother … through whom we were found worthy … to receive the Author of life.”
The Solemnity shows the relationship of Jesus to Mary. It is a perfect example of how we should venerate Mary under all of her titles and is a good foundation for our understanding of Mary’s place in Christology. The Church puts the commemoration of this solemnity on the first day of the New Year to emphasize the importance of Mary’s role in the life of Christ and of the Church.
We celebrate the various saints on the different days of the year, but Mary is the most prominent of them all. She has a special role and mission given to her by God. As Mother of our Redeemer and of the redeemed, she reigns as the Queen at the side of Christ the King. She is a powerful intercessor for all of our needs here on earth. In celebrating her special feast day, we acknowledge this great gift for the Church and world; we call on her to be actively involved in our daily life; we imitate her virtuous life as a great inspiration; and we cooperate with all the graces we get through her.
Providentially, the Church observes this day also as the World Day of Peace and invites us to pray specially for peace in the world and in our own homes, the domestic Church. As you read this, I invite you to pray:
“Dear Lord, we thank You for the amazing gift that You have given us in Mary, Your Mother. We ask You today to help Your Church to be strong and vibrant.
Mary, Mother of God, you do all you can to assist us through your powerful prayers. You help guide your Son’s Church by your loving prayers for us. We ask you to look on us with Motherly love and to bring our petitions before the throne of your Son. Pray for us, that we may always be faithful servants of God and His Church. Pray that we may grow in devotion and love for God each day. Amen.”
Mary, Mother of God, and our mother as well, pray for us!
A grace-filled New Year to all!!!
Sempre grato,
Father Erick
For January 1, 2023