"Oh Mary, Mother of God"

As we continue our holy day celebration, I offer this version of "Oh Mary, Mother of God":

 

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Today the Church celebrates the Octave Day of Christmas, the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. The assigned readings are Numbers 6:22-27, Galatians 4:4-7, and Luke 2:16-21. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 67 (Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Psalm 67: May God Bless Us In His Mercy

The Gospel reading is as follows:

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Reflections related to these readings and this feast day:

Crossroads Initiative: Mary, the Mother of God?

Magis Center: Ignatian Reflection: Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord (1 JAN 26)

Belated Anniversary Blessings, Debbie and Josh!!!

Belated anniversary greetings to niece Debbie and her husband Josh Kyle, whose wedding anniversary was yesterday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Belated Anniversary Blessings, Mark and Becky!!!

Belated anniversary greetings to brother Mark and his wife Becky, whose wedding anniversary was yesterday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Belated Anniversary Blessings, Joe and Erin!!!

Belated anniversary greetings to son Joseph and his wife Erin, whose wedding anniversary was yesterday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for all the blessings You have bestowed on us in 2025.

Fr. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, on Who Our Neighbor Is

"On January 1, the Octave Day of Christmas, the Church celebrates Mary, the Holy Mother of God. The scripture readings call us to reflect on the events of the birth of Christ (see Luke 2: 16-21). However, on New Year's Day, I like to reflect on another story in Luke's Gospel (Luke 10:29). This is the scene when a lawyer asks Jesus, 'Who is my neighbor?' Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan. This is a perpetual question for the Christian.

"However, during the holidays, I find it is easy to recognize my neighbor. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Father Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, reflected on the importance of taking time to "contemplate and celebrate the God made visible in our neighbor."

To access Fr. Kolodziej's complete post, please visit:

De Sales Weekly: Provincial Reflection: New Year's Day: Who is my Neighbor? (1 JAN 26)

Reflection Starter from G. K. Chesterton

"The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective." - G. K. Chesterton