Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

The Month of January Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

World Day of Peace

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Prologue 1-7

Mass: Numbers 6:22-27; Resp Ps 67; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 

May He let His face shine upon us.

MARY, HOLY MOTHER OF GOD,

JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD,

PRAY FOR US.

The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! 

The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace.

(Nb 6:24-26)

Happy New Year 2023. Mary, the Holy Mother of God, pray for us. On this first day of the month of January 2023, we dedicate the month to the Holy Name of Jesus. To kick us off on this World Day of Peace, we pray, Jesus, God of Peace, have mercy on us.

In a card received yesterday, a long-time friend (of over 30 years!), thinking about her intentions for 2023, asked about my intentions for next year. She asked, "Do you contemplate and set goals?" This is a good question, and it seems more than appropriate for a cloistered, contemplative nun or monk to ponder. In fact, we, as in all the faithful united in faith and prayer, who in one way or another live lives of contemplation, should follow Mary's lead and keep all these things and reflect on them in our hearts (see Lk 2:19). And since we are beginning our first read through of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict for the year, we are reminded to listen carefully to the master's instructions and attend to them with ear of our hearts (RB Prologue 1). So, what are your intentions for the New Year 2023 beginning today, January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God?

Mary was indeed full of grace

in good measure

pressed down

shaken together

and running over

and for this reason:

that through her

the grace of God might abound in us.

God chose her

in advance

in a unique way

and accorded the grace of being endowed

with a triple grace

the grace of beauty

the grace of favor

and the grace of honor

so that she should be made

 beautiful

gracious

and glorious.

(Baldwin of Forde, 1125-1190) 

Today's photo: A close-up of the magnificent Mary, the Most Holy Mother of God, in our creche. Take note of the Magnificat in front of her, written in Spanish. Proclama mi alma la grandeza del Senor.

© Gertrude Feick 2023