Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God: World Day of Peace
(Holy Day of Obligation, Luke 2: 16-21, Thursday 01 January 2026)
Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Epiphany, Today in our calendar is the first day of the Gregorian Year, the New Year’s Day of the Year of Our Lord 2026.
On this day, the Church also celebrates the very important occasion of the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, or in the original Greek, Theotokos which means God-bearer. At the Council of Ephesus (451 A.D), the mother of Jesus was solemnly proclaimed as Mother of God or Theotokos, acknowledging the Godhead of her Son, Jesus Christ. Under this noble title she is still honored by most Christians around the world, and today’s feast invites us to place our hopes and plans for the new-starting year under her motherly care.
Brothers and sisters, today as we rejoice greatly during this celebration honoring Mary as the Mother of God, let us all also remember her great examples in faith and dedication, her love for each and every one of us, her companionship towards us where she journeyed and guided us through difficult and challenging moments in life. Let us all follow in her examples and do our best so that all of us may be good examples, role models and inspirations ourselves in our own respective lives. And as we begin this New Year-2026, and continue to rejoice still in this Christmas season, let us always remember that Christ must always be at the center and heart of everything that we do in our lives, with Mary, His mother and our mother ever close by our side, guiding and strengthening us in our journey.
May Mary, the Holy Mother of God continue to intercede for us all sinners and help us so that we may remain firm in our commitment to follow the Lord and to be good and worthy of God’s grace and love.
May Mary, the Mother of God, continue to show us all her maternal love and tender care as she has always shown us, guiding us all to the path towards salvation and eternal life through her Son, Our Lord and Savior.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen!
Fraternally,
Fr. John Peter Lazaar SAC, Pastor
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