Solemnity of Mary, Holy Day Mass Times

Thursday, January 1st, is a Holy Day of Obligation. We close out the Christmas octave—the eight days following the birth of Christ—with a day honoring Mary as the Mother of God. Having just celebrated the Nativity, the Church concludes the octave of Christmas by honoring Mary under her greatest title, the Mother of God. Upon the fact of her divine Motherhood depend all her dignities and prerogatives. 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 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, is a holy day of obligation, and we celebrate this feast every year on January 1 in honor of her.