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Theotokos — Greek for “God-bearer” or Mother of God — is the central title Christians give to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It affirms that Mary is the mother of Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully man.
Key Dogma
The Council of Ephesus formally declared this title in 431 AD to counter Nestorianism, which separated Christ’s divine and human natures. Mary, as mother of the incarnate Word, rightly bears the title Theotokos.
Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and many Protestants honor her as Mother of God, emphasizing her role in the mystery of the Incarnation.
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is celebrated on January 1 and honors Mary’s unique role as the mother of Jesus, affirming both His divinity and humanity. It closes the Octave of Christmas and highlights her faith and cooperation in God’s plan of salvation.
Key Points
- Date of celebration: In the Roman Catholic Church, it is observed on January 1, marking the eighth day after Christmas. Other Christian traditions celebrate it on different dates (e.g., December 26 in Byzantine rites, January 16 in the Coptic Church).
- Title “Mother of God”: The phrase comes from the Greek Theotokos (“God-bearer”), officially affirmed at the Council of Ephesus in 431 A.D.. This safeguarded the belief that Jesus is one person, fully divine and fully human.
- Theological significance: By calling Mary “Mother of God,” the Church emphasizes the unity of Christ’s two natures — divine and human — and Mary’s essential role in the mystery of the Incarnation.
- Connection to Christmas: The feast closes the Octave of Christmas, reminding believers that Mary’s “yes” allowed God to enter the world. It is both a Marian feast and a Christological one, pointing to Jesus as Savior.
- Spiritual meaning: The day invites reflection on Mary’s faith, obedience, and maternal care. It encourages Christians to entrust the new year to her intercession, seeking peace and guidance in following Christ
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is not just about honoring Mary herself, but about affirming the truth of who Jesus is — God incarnate, born of a woman. By celebrating Mary’s motherhood, the Church underscores the mystery of the Incarnation and begins the new year with a call to faith, peace, and trust in God’s plan.
Pope St. Paul VI instituted the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. In his encyclical on devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Marialis Cultus, he wrote, “This celebration, assigned to Jan. 1st in conformity with the ancient liturgy of the city of Rome, is meant to commemorate the part played by Mary in this mystery of salvation. It is meant also to exalt the singular dignity which this mystery brings to the ‘holy Mother … through whom we were found worthy … to receive the Author of life.’ The solemnity shows the relationship of Jesus to Mary. It’s a perfect example of how we should venerate Mary under all of her titles and is a good foundation for our understanding of Mary’s place in Christology. The Church puts the feast of this solemnity on the first day of the New Year to emphasize the importance of Mary’s role in the life of Christ and of the Church. We commemorate the various saints on the different days of the year, but Mary is the most prominent of them all. She has a special role and mission given to her by God.
0101 Mother of God 2p LETTER 20251211Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
The Angelus
The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary…
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
Hail Mary…
And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary…
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
O Virgin Immaculate, Mother of God and My Mother
O Virgin Immaculate, Mother of God and my mother, from your sublime heights turn your eyes of pity on me. Filled with confidence in your goodness and knowing full well your power, I beg you to extend to me your assistance in the journey of life, which is so full of dangers for my soul. In order that I may never be a slave of the devil through sin, but may ever live with my heart humble and pure, I entrust myself wholly to you. I consecrate my heart to you forever, my only desire being to love your divine Son, Jesus. Mary, none of your devout servants has ever perished; may I, too, be saved.
Amen
My Prayer to Our Mother Mary
Hail and praise be unto thee, Mary, whom God Almighty has exalted above all of his other servants!! God has entrusted us unto your care and graciously grants any request that you make of Him on our behalf, if it is in accordance with His Divine Will. Our hearts burn with zeal as we honor you, Our Mother. We love you as a child loves a mother and you love us as mother loves her children. Please guide us, your little ones, to our Eternal and Almighty Father God through our prayers and through your love for us. Many in this world may slander and degrade you while still claiming to exalt God, please forgive them and pray for them for they may dishearten your devoted children. May we be made worthy of the promises of Christ through your prayers. You love us so freely and we are so unworthy of it. You love us because God and Christ loved us first. Mary, Mother, I love you.
Amen
Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina)
Hail, holy Queen,
Mother of Mercy, Our life,
our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve,
To thee do we send up our sighs,
Mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious Advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us, And after this our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, who by the working of the Holy Spirit didst prepare both body and soul of the glorious Virgin Mother, Mary, that she might deserve to be made a worthy dwelling for Thy Son, grant that we who rejoice in her memory, may, by her loving intercession, be delivered from present evils and from lasting death, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer to Mary, Mother of God
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 mother’s love,
be Your people’s 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.
Novena to Mary, Mother of God
I greet you, ever-blessed Virgin, Mother of God, throne of grace, miracle of almighty power! I greet you, sanctuary of the Most Holy Trinity and Queen of the Universe, Mother of mercy and refuge of sinners!
Most loving Mother, attracted by your beauty and sweetness, and by your tender compassion, I confidently turn to you, miserable as I am, and beg of you to obtain for me of your dear Son, the Favor I request in this novena:
(Here mention your petition)
Obtain for me also, Queen of Heaven, the most lively contrition for my many sins and the grace to imitate closely those virtues which you practiced so faithfully, especially humility, purity, and obedience. Above all, I beg you to be my mother and protectress, to receive me into the number of your devoted children, and to guide me from your high throne of glory.
Do not reject my petitions, mother of mercy! Have pity on me, and do not abandon me during life or at the moment of my death.
Daughter of the Eternal Father, Mother of the Eternal Son, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, Temple of the Adorable Trinity, pray for me. Immaculate and tender heart of Mary, refuge of the needy and hope of sinners, filled with the most lively respect, love, and gratitude, I devote myself forever to your service, and offer you my heart with all that I am and all that belongs to me.
Accept this offering, sweet Queen of Heaven and Earth, and obtain for me of your dear Son, Jesus Christ, the favors I ask through your intercession in the novena. Obtain for me also a tender, generous, constant love of God, perfect submission to His adorable Will, the true spirit of a Christian, and the grace of final perseverance. Amen.
Prayer (Memorare)
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired w/ this confidence I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my mother. To you I come; before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
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Litany of Mary
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God our Father ln Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Most honored of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother of chaste love, pray for us.
Mother and virgin, pray for us.
Sinless Mother, pray for us.
Dearest of Mothers, pray for us.
Model of motherhood, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Savior, pray for us.
Virgin most wise, pray for us.
Virgin rightly praised, pray for us.
Virgin rightly renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin gentle in mercy, pray for us.
Faithful Virgin, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Throne of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Shrine of the Spirit, pray for us.
Glory of Israel, pray for us.
Vessel of selfless devotion, pray for us.
Mystical Rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the covenant, pray for us.
Gate of heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comfort of the troubled, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of angels, pray for us.
Queen of patriarchs and prophets, pray for us.
Queen of apostles and martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of confessors and virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed in to heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the rosary, pray for us.
Queen of families, pray for us.
Queen of peace, pray for us.
Blessed be the name of the Virgin Mary now and forever.
Amen.
Catholic World Day of Peace
– 1st January
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