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Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Jan 1)

January 01, 2026

Fr. John Colacino C.PP.S.

Introit

FIRST READING Numbers 6:22-27

The Lord spoke to Moses: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them, 24 “‘The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.’ 27 “So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

SECOND READING Galatians 4:4-7

When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6 And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

GOSPEL Luke 2:16-21

When the angels had left them the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

HOMILY

Pope Leo's Message for the World Day of Prayer for Peace (January 1, 2026) may be found at:

https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/messages/peace/documents/20251208-messaggio-pace.html

INTERCESSIONS (from Pope Leo's Urbi et orbi blessing on Christmas Day)

From God let us ask for justice, peace and stability for Lebanon, Palestine, Israel and Syria, trusting in these divine words: “The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust for ever” (Is 32:17).

Let us entrust the entire European continent to the Prince of Peace, asking him to continue to inspire a spirit of community and cooperation, in fidelity to its Christian roots and history, and in solidarity with – and acceptance of – those in need. Let us pray in a particular way for the tormented people of Ukraine: may the clamor of weapons cease, and may the parties involved, with the support and commitment of the international community, find the courage to engage in sincere, direct and respectful dialogue.

From the Child of Bethlehem, we implore peace and consolation for the victims of all current wars in the world, especially those that are forgotten, and for those who suffer due to injustice, political instability, religious persecution and terrorism. I remember in a special way our brothers and sisters in Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Let us pray to God made man for the beloved people of Haiti, that all forms of violence in the country will cease and that progress will be made on the path of peace and reconciliation.

May the Child Jesus inspire those in Latin America who hold political responsibilities, so that, in facing the numerous challenges, space may be given to dialogue for the common good, rather than to ideological and partisan prejudices.

Let us ask the Prince of Peace to illuminate Myanmar with the light of a future of reconciliation, restoring hope to the younger generations, guiding its entire people along paths of peace, and accompanying those who live without shelter, security or confidence in tomorrow.

We ask the Lord that the ancient friendship between Thailand and Cambodia be restored, and that the parties involved will continue to work towards reconciliation and peace.

We also entrust to God the peoples of South Asia and Oceania, who have been severely tested by recent, devastating natural disasters that have struck entire communities. In the face of such trials, I invite everyone to renew, with heartfelt conviction, our shared commitment to assisting those who suffer.

In becoming man, Jesus took upon himself our fragility, identifying with each one of us: with those who have nothing left and have lost everything, like the inhabitants of Gaza; with those who are prey to hunger and poverty, like the Yemeni people; with those who are fleeing their homeland to seek a future elsewhere, like the many refugees and migrants who cross the Mediterranean or traverse the American continent; with those who have lost their jobs and those who are looking for work, like so many young people who struggle to find employment; with those who are exploited, like many underpaid workers; with those in prison, who often live in inhumane conditions.

Most high God, you come near to us this Christmas season in the child born of the Virgin Mary. In the depths of darkness, she gave birth to light; in the depths of silence, she brought forth the Word. Grant that we who ponder these things in our hearts may recognise in her child our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendour of eternal light, God for ever and ever. Amen. (ICEL; 1998)

OFFERTORY CHANT

OFFERTORY HYMN

Heaven’s dawn is breaking brightly,

Happy Christmas morn!

Of the blessed Virgin Mary,

Jesus Christ is born.

To him let us sing, praise and honor bring,

O thou precious tender infant,

to thy Name we sing.

Hark! the angel song proclaiming:

“Peace to all the earth!”

Have no fear, I bring you tidings

of the Savior’s birth.

To him let us sing…

COMMUNION ANTIPHON

CLOSING HYMN

Now is the old year passed away;
Let us begin the new this day.
Praising our God, who here on earth
Kept us in quietness and mirth!
Oh, like the glad New Year, may we
Wholly renewed this day be,
Praising our God eternally!

Child of our love, O Jesus dear,
Thou who art still our Savior here:
Thee do we pray with all our heart,
Nevermore leave us nor depart!
Save us from war, from hate, from fear;
Keep us in peace together here.
Grant us a tranquil, joyous year!

Gladly together then will we,
O highest God of heaven, to Thee
Bring through the year our songs of praise,
And evermore through endless days
Here while on earth our time shall be.
And then through all eternity
Singing with joyful hearts to Thee!

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