Happy New Year to all Happy feast day to all born, baptized and married today Happy feast day to all Deacons, Seminarians, Priests, Bishops, Monks, Nuns, Religious Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus. Happy feast day to all Catholics and all children of the Blessed Virgin Mary Happy feast day to especially to all who honour Mary as the Mother of God and all who recite Her Holy Rosary with true devotion Happy feast day to all Catholic Missionaries Today (January 1) marks the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Today is a liturgical feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary The feast is celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church on 1st of January, which is the Octave Day of Christmas. The Solemnity of Mary Mother of God commemorates the divine Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the God-Bearer, Mother of our Lord and God Jesus Christ. In some countries this day is considered a holy day of obligation. In the Roman Catholic Church, the eighth day of the octave of Christmas was celebrated as the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus. The push for an official feast day celebrating Marys divine maternity started in Portugal, and in 1751 Pope Benedict XIV allowed Portugals churches to celebrate Marys divine maternity on the first Sunday in May. The feast was eventually extended to other countries, and by 1914 was being celebrated on October 11. The feast of Marys divine maternity became a universal feast in 1931. However, following Vatican II, Pope Blessed Paul VI (who was the 262nd Bishop of Rome since the pontificate of Saint Peter the Apostle) decided to change the feast of Jesus Circumcision to the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God to reclaim the ancient Western Marian emphasis at the end of the Octave of Christmas. Celebrating Marys divine maternity during the Christmas octave makes complete sense in that the celebration is connected closely to Christs birth. Pope Blessed Paul VI gave his reasoning for the change: Pope Paul VI tells us: In the revised arrangement of the Christmas season, we should all turn with one mind to the restored solemnity of the Mother of God. This feast was entered into the calendar in the liturgy of the city of Rome for the first day of January. The purpose of the celebration is to honor the role of Mary in the mystery of salvation and at the same time to sing the praises of the unique dignity thus coming to the Holy Mother...through whom we have been given the gift of the Author of life. 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. Because of these considerations and the fact that the octave of Christmas coincides with a day of hope, New Years Day, we have assigned to it the observance of the World Day of Peace -Pope Paul VI (Feb. 2, 1974) ------------------------------------------------------------- On this first day of the New Year, just eight days after the feast of the birth of Christ, we remember the Blessed Virgin Mary by celebrating her divine motherhood. As the Mother of God, Mary is known as Theotokus, which means the God-Bearer. It is appropriate to honor Mary as Mother of Jesus, following the birth of Christ. The Virgin Mary, who at the message of the angel received the Word of God in her heart and in her body and gave Life to the world, is acknowledged and honored as being truly the Mother of God and of the redeemer. Redeemed, in a more exalted fashion, by reason of the merits of her Son and united to him by a close and indissoluble tie, she is endowed with the high office and dignity of the Mother of the Son of God, and therefore she is also the beloved daughter of the Father and the temple of the Holy Spirit. Because of this gift of sublime grace she far surpasses all creatures, both in heaven and on earth. But, being of the race of Adam, she is at the same time also united to all those who are to be saved; indeed, she is clearly the mother of the members of Christ . . . since she has by her charity joined in bringing about the birth of believers in the Church, who are members of its head. Mary is hailed as pre-eminent and as a wholly unique member of the Church, and as its type and outstanding model in faith and charity. The Catholic Church taught by the Holy Spirit, honors charity. The Catholic Church taught by the Holy Spirit, honors her with filial affection and devotion as a most beloved mother. When Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God Incarnate, we are not only honoring Mary, who was chosen among all women throughout history to bear God, but we are also honoring our Lord, who is fully God and fully human. The sacred writings of the Old and New Testaments, as well as venerable tradition, show the role of the Mother of the Savior in the plan of salvation in an ever clearer light and call our attention to it The books of the Old Testament describe the history of salvation, by which the coming of Christ into the world was slowly prepared. The earliest documents, as they are read in the Church and are understood in the light of a further and full revelation, bring the figure of a woman, Mother of the Redeemer, into a gradually clearer light. Considered in this light, the Blessed Virgin Mary is already prophetically foreshadowed in the promise of victory over the serpent which was given to our first parents after their fall into sin (Gen 3:15). Likewise she is the virgin who shall conceive and bear a son, whose name shall be called Emmanuel (Is. 8:14; Mic. 5:2-3; Mt. 1:22-23). ------------------------------------------------- Mary stands out among the poor and humble of the Lord, who confidently hope for and receive salvation from him. After a long period of waiting the times are fulfilled in her, the exhalted “Daughter of God” and the new plan of salvation is established, when the Son of God has taken human nature from her, that he might in the mysteries of his flesh free man from sin. The Father of mercies willed that the Incarnation should be preceded by assent on the part of the predestined mother, so that just as a woman had a share in bringing about death, so also a woman should contribute to life. This is preeminently true of the Mother of Jesus, who gave to the world the Life that renews all things, and who was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role. It is no wonder then that it was customary for the Fathers to refer to the Mother of God as all holy and free from every stain of sin, as though fashioned by the Holy Spirit and formed as a new creature. Enriched from the first instant of her conception with the splendor of an entirely unique holiness, the virgin of Nazareth is hailed by the Angel Gabriel , by divine command, as full of grace (Luke. 1:38) She replies to the heavenly messenger: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy word (Luke. 1:38). Thus the daughter of Adam, Mary, consenting to the word of God, became the Mother of Jesus. Committing herself wholeheartedly and impeded by no sin to Gods saving will, she devoted herself totally, as a handmaid of the Lord, to the person and work of her Son, under and with him, serving the mystery of redemption, by the grace of Almighty God. Rightly, therefore, the Catholic Church Fathers see Mary not merely as passively engaged by God, but as freely cooperating in the work of mans salvation through faith and obedience. ------------------------------------------------ Saint Irenaeus tells us: Mary being obedient, became the cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race. Hence not a few of the early Fathers gladly assert with him in their preaching: the knot of Eves disobedience was united by Marys obedience: Thus what the virgin Eve bound through her disbelief and disobedience, the Virgin Mary loosened by her complete faith and obedience. Comparing Mary with Eve, the ever Blessed Virgin is known to us as the Mother of the living, Therefore as death came through Eve, life has come through Mary. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the perfect woman -- hand-picked and created by God to be His mother. She is the highly favored one. She knows the fullness of Gods love and passes this beautiful blessing onto to us. For, she is not only Gods mother, but our mother, too. She is the gentle, concerned mother who watches over us day and night, and cares for our every need. Every pain, every worry, every joy we feel she wants us to share it all with her. The love that God manifests toward her, she shares abundantly with us. The Holy Spirit dwells within her heart, and she is a conduit of love, grace, and tender mercy for us. She also serves as a wonderful model of love to emulate. Calling Mary mother of God is the highest honor we can give Mary. The predestination of the Blessed Virgin as Mother of God was associated with the incarnation of the divine word: In the designs of divine Providence she was the gracious mother of the divine Redeemer here on earth, and above all others and in a singular way the generous associate and humble handmaid of the Lord. Mary conceived, brought forth, and nourished Christ, she presented him to the Father in the temple, shared her Sons sufferings as he died on the cross. Thus, in a wholly singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope and burning charity in the work of the Savior in restoring supernatural life to souls. For this reason she is a Mother to us in the order of grace. Just as Christmas honors Jesus as the Prince of Peace, the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God honors Mary as the Queen of Peace. Like the holy infant, we are forever safe within her arms. This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect. Mary was taken up to heaven, and in Heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession She continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation. Mary has by grace been exalted above all angels and men to a place second only to her Son, as the most holy mother of God who was involved in the mysteries of Christ: she is rightly honored by a special cult in the Church. From the earliest times the Blessed Virgin is honored under the title of Mother of God, whose protection the faithful take refuge together in prayer in all their perils and needs It gives great joy and comfort that among the separated brethren too there are those who give due honor to the Mother of Our Lord and Savior, especially among the Catholics, who with devout mind and fervent impulse give honor to the Mother of God, ever virgin. ------------------------------------------ There are many Marian feasts in the Church Calendar. These include: • The Assumption of Mary, • The Immaculate Conception, • Our Lady of Sorrows, • Our Lady of Guadalupe, • Our Lady of Consolation, among many others. However, Mary Mother of God focuses on Marys divine maternity. Prayers for the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Let us pray [that Mary the mother of the Lord, will help us by her prayers] God our Father may we always profit by the prayers of the Virgin Mother Mary, for you bring us life and salvation through Jesus Christ her Son who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Let us pray [in the name of Jesus, born of a virgin and Son of God] God our Father source of light in every age, the Virgin conceived and bore your Son who is called Wonderful God, Prince of Peace. May her prayer, the gift of a mothers love, be your peoples joy through all ages. May her response, born of a humble heart draw your Spirit to rest on your people. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Loving Mother of our Redeemer, Gate of heaven, star of the sea, Assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again, To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator, yet remained a virgin after as before, You who received Gabriel’s joyful greeting, have pity on us, poor sinners and pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ God our Father, may we always profit by the prayers of the Virgin Mother Mary, for you bring us life and salvation through Jesus Christ her Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PRAYER TO MARY, MOTHER OF GOD CATENA LEGIONIS Antiphon. -- Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the Sun, terrible as an army set in battle array? My soul doth magnify the Lord. Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is from generation unto generations to them that fear Him. He hath showed might in His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel His servant: being mindful of His mercy. As He spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his seed forever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Anitphon. -- Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array? V. O Mary conceived without sin. R. Pray for us who have recourse to Thee. Let us pray: O Lord Jesus Christ our Mediator with the Father, Who has been pleased to appoint the Most Blessed Virgin, Thy Mother, to be our Mother also, and our Mediatrix with Thee, mercifully grant that whosoever comes to Thee seeking Thy favours may rejoice to receive all of them through her. Amen. --------------------------------------------------------- Let us pray that through the intercession of Mary, Mother of God, we may in this group find the spiritual motivation to win our souls for God. Amen Summary of the history of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God can be viewed by clicking the photo of the Blessed Virgin Mary in our groups photo section. Feast of the day would be communicated to you as promptly and consistently as humanly possible, by Gods grace. May we all in this group and beyond this group, Christians and non Christians alike, Catholics and non Catholics alike, be saved from the fires of hell and lifted up into heaven after our stay here on this exile. Amen May our Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of His Blessed Mother and through Gods Divine Mercy strengthen our souls, open out the way for us all, and above all, intoxicate us with HIS love. Amen May Christ make us into blazing fires to enkindle the earth with the heavenly fire HE brought us. Amen Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we give you our lives and our salvation. Jesus we love you, all we have is yours, yours we are and yours we want to be, please do with us whatever you will. Amen Jesus, Mary we love you, please save our souls. Amen God bless you and grant your heart’s desire. Amen May the Lord fill each one of our hearts with His love and give us peace as we enter the New Year with Mary as our mother, the Queen of Peace, watches over us, guides us, and intercedes for us. Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Please click the links below: https://youtube/watch?v=PIJS9uHI7XM https://youtube/watch?v=VyXc8nIN77Y https://youtube/watch?v=V8hBYB42oWM https://youtube/watch?v=dlpG0NqkL5o&index=2&list=RDHIR3sIdQU0k
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 10:55:24 +0000
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