Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
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Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
January 1st is a Holy Day, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. It is one of the oldest feasts in the Catholic liturgical calendar; in fact, it has been on the calendar for more than 1,500 years. It is the Octave, the 8th day of the Christmas season, as the feast celebrates Mary’s motherhood of Jesus, eight days after the birth of Jesus.
The purpose of the celebration to sing the praises of Mary as “the Holy Mother . . . through whom we have been given the gift of the Author of life,” said Pope Paul VI. He also said, “This same solemnity also offers an excellent opportunity to renew the adoration rightfully to be shown to the newborn Prince of Peace, as we once again hear the good tidings of great joy and pray to God, through the intercession of the Queen of Peace, for the priceless gift of peace.” In 1974, Pope John Paul VI, also named January 1st as the Catholic Church’s World Day for Peace.
