The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God: Why the Catholic Church Begins the Year With Mary
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
As the calendar turns and the world celebrates fresh starts, the Catholic Church invites us to begin the year not with noise, but with a mother.
On January 1st, we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary—a feast that grounds the entire Christian story in something profoundly human. Before resolutions, goals, or plans, the Church places before us Mary holding her Son. This is not accidental. It is intentional, tender, and deeply theological.
To call Mary Mother of God is to proclaim a truth at the very heart of our faith: that God chose to enter the world not as an idea, but as a child—fully dependent, fully loved. Mary did not merely carry Christ; she received Him, nurtured Him, and offered Him to the world. In honoring her today, we affirm that God works through humility, obedience, and quiet trust.
There is something especially fitting about celebrating Mary at the start of the year. She teaches us how to begin again. Scripture tells us that Mary “pondered all these things in her heart.” She did not rush the mystery. She held it. She trusted that God was already at work, even when the path ahead was unclear.
As we step into a new year—carrying hopes, uncertainties, and prayers yet unanswered—Mary reminds us that holiness often looks small at first. A yes whispered instead of proclaimed. Faith lived daily, not loudly. Love expressed through presence, patience, and surrender.
At The Little Catholic, Mary is more than inspiration; she is our guide. Her example shapes how we create—thoughtfully, reverently, and with intention. Just as she carried Christ into the world, our hope is that the pieces we make help you carry reminders of faith into your everyday life: moments of prayer, comfort, and closeness to God.
Today, we ask Mary to intercede for us—for our families, our work, and the year ahead. May she help us begin again with trust. May she teach us to receive what God desires to give. And may we, like her, carry Christ into the world with quiet confidence and enduring love.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us 🤍
