Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, Holy Day of Obligation

January 1, 2027 12:00 AM

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, Holy Day of

The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, on January 1st is a Holy Day of Obligation.

What is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God?

The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God is a Marian feast that specifically celebrates Mary as the "Mother of God" or "Theotokos." The Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraph 509) teaches, “Mary is truly ‘Mother of God’ since she is the mother of the eternal Son of God made man, who is God himself.” The term "Theotokos" was established by the Council of Ephesus in 431, meaning "God-bearer", to affirm the teaching that Mary is the mother of God because Jesus is fully God and fully Man.

How Should We Celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God?

Since it is a Holy Day of Obligation, you should make preparations to go to Mass either at a vigil Mass on December 31st or at Mass on January 1st. Additionally, you can celebrate this feast by praying the Joyful mysteries of the Rosary, the Angelus, or the Magnificat or by reading about the Annunciation and Visitation in Sacred Scripture.