Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God

This is the first New Year's Day in several years that I haven't preached. In my homilies over the past few years for this Solemnity, I've encouraged those listening to commit to praying the Rosary everyday during the year. This means between today and 31 December praying 365 Rosaries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I renew that challenge today.

Lest this challenge amount to nothing more than the breath it takes to utter, it's a discipline I practice. I even go so far as to keep count of the number of Rosaries each year. For example, last year (2024), I recited 375. By "Rosary," I mean one complete set of mysteries (i.e. Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, Glorious), that is, 5 decades.

While I do at times pray the Rosary contemplatively (something I am going to strive to do more of this year), I usually pray it while walking. Most days, as I begin my recitation, I offer up several intentions. I pray from big to small, that is, for things in the world, an end to wars and violent conflicts, the safety of innocents caught in the hell that is war, for leaders, for my family, especially my children, for people who are sick, for those who are suffering, and certainly for those who ask me to pray for them for specific intentions.

I also say at least one Memorare each day. Usually, more than one. Besides, according to the Church, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is an essential component of diaconal spirituality.

These devotions do not exhaust my prayer life. They do, however, enhance it greatly. Some days, in addition to Morning and Evening Prayer, these may well constitute my prayers. If so, that's just fine.

Photograph by Rev. Keith Littlejohn, Church of Saint Mary's, Goring-by-Sea, U.K.

The Blessed Virgin Mary is not merely Christotokos, she is Theotokos, not merely Christ-bearer, but God-bearer, the Mother of God. While the Son is consubtantial with the Father, He is also consubstantial with His mother and, through her, with us.

We venerate the saints, those men and women, varied as they are, who bear witness to Christ by their lives and now, in the presence of God, intercede for us. Seeking their intercession is an important part of our faith. As Fr. Tonino Lasconi, an Italian parish priest and author of numerous volumes on the renewal of catechesis, noted: "Without the saints, the faith vanishes."

Christians do not worship Mary. Worship, as the first commandment directs, is due to God and God alone. But we do not merely venerate our Blessed Mother either. In a similar way (since I've invoked the Decalogue), the fourth commandment that enjoins us to honor father and mother falls between the first three commandments about loving God and final six about loving our neighbor. You see, parents, even absent ones, occupy a unique place between God and other people. Just so, Mary, our Mother, occupies her own space between God and His saints.

While we do not worship Mary, we do pray to her. By so doing, we honor her in a fitting and unique way. I can think of no better way to start 2025 than assisting at Mass for this Solemnity and, yes, by praying the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A Happy and Blessed New Year to you. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all God's Saints, may you have a healthy and prosperous 2025.