On 1 January 2026, we begin the civil year or Gregorian calendar; our Catholic Church proposes that we celebrate the Solemnity of MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
It is comforting for believers that the New Year that God gives us begins with this beloved feast of Mary, our Mother. It is a good protection, a sure way to begin the New Year, to continue the journey of life.
Here is a brief summary of the topic:
- In Luke 16:23, we are reminded: ‘Mary... kept all these things in her heart...’ as a good Mother does, despite her young age.
- Jesus Christ gave us his Mother from the Cross: ‘Son, behold your mother; mother, behold your son’ (John 19:26-27), establishing this filial relationship with Mary, which is carried down to our day.
- The Church at the Council of Ephesus (431 years into the Christian era) recognised Mary as the THEOTOKOS (Mother of God).
- ‘Do not let your heart be sad... Am I not here, I who am your Mother?’ said the Virgin of Guadalupe to the afflicted Juan Diego on 12 December 1531.
- In the Family, our beloved founder PBN recommended that we approach Mary with confidence, ‘as Our Lady of All Graces’. Among other reasons for seeing Mary as Mother of God and our mother, we know how to recognise with the eyes of faith that Mary, our Mother, walks with and among her people.
On the first day of the year, we have many expectations, projects, dreams to fulfil... in faith and hope we wish above all to accept the gift of the new year and enter into it. We hope that Holy Mary, Mother of God, who stands at the threshold of this ‘temporary door,’ will welcome us into the days to come. May she also inspire us to commit ourselves, like her, to caring for and protecting life everywhere in all its forms, caring for our planet Earth where it is most in danger, in a society where life has no value unless it consumes or excels in ‘producing like machines,’
The Mother of God continues to be for our times that woman who unconditionally loves us, cares for us, protects us, helps us to grow, to give our lives for the Kingdom of God as she herself did, teaching her beloved son Jesus Christ to do the same; she also cares for the members of the Christian Family and is concerned for a society where young families do not want to have children, let alone care for them, because these responsibilities delay their personal projects and they feel they lack the freedom to achieve their dreams.
She calls us to be an inclusive family, to see our differences as a great treasure that makes us strong against any adversity in life; to unite to form a force that is committed to life on our planet and to its well-being in all circumstances.
She also calls us to make it possible to turn the world into one big family of God, committing ourselves to treat each other as brothers and sisters where justice, love, forgiveness and peace reign among us. By changing our hearts, accompanied by Mary, Mother of God, we can make our world more humane and fraternal for this New Year. Let us live in gratitude for this new time that is given us. Let us be transformed by the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
On this day, Pope Leo calls us to celebrate the World Day of Peace (XXIX), at the beginning of the year… The message proclaimed cannot be ignored by Christian believers who must work tirelessly for peace, which is threatened in families and on our planet.
To you who are reading this message: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you, let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord show you his face and grant you peace’ (Numbers 6:22-27).
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026, with Mary, Mother of God!
Sr. Rubeni PEJERREY
Peru