January 1, is the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, a feast day which celebrates Mary’s motherhood of Jesus. It is also a Holy Day of Obligation. That means that all Catholics are obliged to attend Holy Mass. However, for this year it is not a Holy Day of Obligation because the feast falls on a Monday, therefor the obligation has been lifted.
The English title “Mother of God” is a literal translation of the Latin title Mater Dei, which in turn is a rendering of the Greek title Θεοτόκος or Theotokos, meaning “Bearer of God”, a title for Mary that was dogmatically adopted by the First Council of Ephesus (431 A.D. ) as an assertion of the divinity of Christ.
“This celebration, placed on January 1 …is meant to commemorate the part played by Mary in this mystery of salvation,” wrote Pope Saint Paul VI in his 1974 Apostolic Letter, Marialis Cultus.
“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.”
“It is likewise a fitting occasion for renewing adoration of the newborn Prince of Peace, for listening once more to the glad tidings of the angels (cf. Lk. 2:14), and for imploring from God, through the Queen of Peace, the supreme gift of peace.” Have a happy and holy day!
