Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
<p>The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is our Lady’s greatest title. This fest is the octave of Christmas, and a Holy Day of Obligation in the United States. In the modern Roman calendar, only Christmas and Easter enjoy the privilege of an Octave. Mary was the all holy, every-virgin, Mother of God. She is the masterwork of the mission of the Son and the Spirit in the fullness of time. For the first time in the plan of salvation and because His Spirit had prepared Mary, the Father found the dwelling place where his Son and the Spirit could dwell among men. Mary is acclaimed and represented in the liturgy as the “Seat of Wisdom”. </p>
<p>The Church wished to honor the Virgin Mother of God during the days after Christmas. As a result, the “Natale S. Mariae” – Anniversary of St. Mary, made its appearance on January 1<sup>st</sup> in the seventh century. It has accurately been called the “First Marian feast of the Roman Liturgy”. </p>
<p>On New Year’s Day, the Octave day of Christmas, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Holy Mother of God. The divine and virginal motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a singular event. For our Lady it was the foretaste and cause of her extraordinary glory. For us, it is the source of grace and salvation because, “Through her we have received the Author of Life”. This feast is an eminently Marian feast, and presents an excellent opportunity for liturgical; the first celebrates this event in a manner proper to it, the second, when duly catechized, lends joy and happiness to the various expressions of praise to Our Lady on the birth of her Divine Son. It is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of many prayers, beginning with these words, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners”. </p>
<p>Mary – Seat of Wisdom, Pray for us. </p>
