Origins
The Solemnity of Mary Most Holy, Mother of God, is the first Marian feast that appeared in the Western Church. Originally, the festival was born with the intention of replacing the pagan custom, whose rites did not correspond to the sanctity of Christian celebrations. The title was created by Christians to express a faith that had no relation to pagan mythology, faith in the virginal conception, in the womb of Mary, of the one who, since always, was the Eternal Word of God.
The title
This title brings with it a dogma that depended on two Councils: in 325, the Council of Nicaea; and, in 381, that of Constantinople. These two councils tried to answer this mystery of the consubstantiality of the one and triune God, Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
The Human Nature of Mary
In the fourth century, Bishop Saint Athanasius taught: “The nature that Jesus Christ received from Mary was a human nature. According to divine Scripture, the Lord’s body was a true body, because it was a body identical to ours.” Mary is, therefore, our sister, as we are all descendants of Adam. Relating this mystery of the incarnation, in which the Word assumed the condition of our humanity, with the reality that nothing has changed in the Holy Trinity, even though the Word took a body in the womb of Mary, the Trinity continues to be the same; no increase, no decrease; is always perfect. In it, we recognize a single divinity. Thus, the Church proclaims a single God in the Father and the Word, which is why the Blessed Virgin is the Mother of God.
The Blessed Virgin is the Mother of God: She is the point of union between heaven and earth
bird Theotokos
At the third Ecumenical Council, in 431, Mary Most Holy was acclaimed Mother of God, in Greek, Theotokos. This is a title that does not appear explicitly in the evangelical texts, although they recall “the Mother of Jesus” and affirm that He is God (John 20:28; cf. 5:18; 10:30.33). In any case, Mary is presented as Mother of Immanuel, which means God with us (cf. Mt 1,22-23).
Mother of God
The word Theotokos means Mother of God, which is the article that Catholics profess in Mary Most Holy; although Theotokos it means ‘begotten of God’, a point that Nestorius, patriarch of Constantinople and great enemy of the Virgin, doubted and contested the legitimacy of the title. The change of accent in the word changes the meaning, going from a very precise meaning to a vague one.
Faith in the Son Jesus and the Holy Mother Mary
Expression of Faith
By proclaiming Mary “Mother of God”, the Church professes with a single expression her faith regarding the Son and the Mother. This union emerges already at the Council of Ephesus. With the definition of Mary’s divine motherhood, the priests wanted to highlight their faith in the divinity of Christ. Despite objections, ancient and recent, regarding the opportunity to attribute this title to Mary, Christians of all times, correctly interpreting the meaning of this motherhood, have made it a privileged expression of their faith in the divinity of Christ and His love. towards the Virgin.
The Center of History
God became flesh through Mary, began to be part of a people, constituted the center of history.
My prayer
“Mother of God and ours, from the first day of the year, I want to consecrate myself and my family, everything I have, do and am to Jesus through your hands, Mary. May my year be surrounded by your blessing and protection. In everything I want to be more of God. Amen.”
Holy Mary, pray for us!
Other saints and blesseds celebrated on January 1st
- In Türkiye, the burial of Saint Basiliobishop, whose memory will be celebrated tomorrow. († c. 379)
- In Campania and Abruzzo, regions of Italy, the commemoration of Saint Justin It is celebrated as bishop. (cs IV)
- In Rome, Saint Almáquiowho, opposing the fights of gladiators, by order of Alypius.(† 391)
- In France, the commemoration of Saint Eugendoabbot of the monastery of Condat. († 516)
- In Ruspas, present-day Tunisia, Saint FulgencioBishop. († 533)
- In Vienne, in Burgundy, in present-day France, Saint Clearabbot of the monastery of São Marcelo. († 660/670)
- In Troyes, in present-day France, Saint Frodobertofounder and first abbot of the monastery of Moutier-la-Celle. († c. 667)
- In Normandy, France, the death of Saint Williamabbot of Saint Benign of Dijon. († 1031)
- Near Sauvigny, a city in Burgundy, France, the Saint Odiloabbot of Cluny.(† 1049)
- Currently, in Czechia, Santa Zedislavamother of the family, who provided great comfort to the afflicted.(† 1252)
- In Gualdo Cattáneo, in Umbria, currently in the region of Italy, Blessed Hugolinowho lived as a hermit. († 14th century)
- In Rome, Saint José Maria Tomásipresbyter of the Order of Theatines Regular Clerics and cardea. († 1713)
- In Avrillé, France, the blessed brothers John It is Renato Legopresbyters and martyrs. († 1794)
- In Rome, Saint Vicente Maria Strambibishop of Macerata and Tolentino, of the Congregation of the Passion. († 1824)
- In Hasselt, Belgium, Blessed Valentine Paquaypresbyter of the Order of Friars Minor. († 1905)
- In L’viv, Ukraine, Saint Sigismund Gorazdowskipriest who founded the Institute of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. († 1920)
- In Santander, Spain, Blessed André Gómez Sáezpresbyter of the Salesian Society and martyr. († 1937)
- In Mirna, Slovenia, Blessed Luis Grozdemember of Catholic Action and martyr. († 1943)
- In the concentration camp in Germany, Blessed Mariano Konopinskipresbyter and martyr. († 1943)
Source:
- Book “A saint for every day” – Mário Sgarbossa – Luigi Giovannini
- Book “Daily Saints” – José Leite, SJ
- Roman Martyrology
– Production and editing: Melody de Paulo
– Prayer: Rafael Vitto – Community