About the Celebration
Mary, Mother of God is celebrated on January 1 as the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. In the U.S. liturgical calendar it falls in Christmas Time and uses white vestments. The celebration honors the Catholic faith that the Virgin Mary is truly Mother of God and Mother of the redeemer; in the Eastern Churches this title is expressed by the Greek Theotokos, “Birth-giver of God” or “God-Bearer.”
Why Catholics Celebrate This Day
Catholics celebrate this solemnity to honor Mary according to the Church’s faith that she is truly Mother of God and of the redeemer. The feast gives liturgical expression to Marian devotion: the Catechism notes that feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer express devotion to the Virgin Mary. The celebration also stands within the Christmas season. The USCCB readings listed for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God include Numbers 6:22-27, Galatians 4:4-7, and Luke 2:16-21, with lectionary number 18.
History / Biography
The title Mother of God belongs to the Church’s ancient Marian devotion. The Catechism states that from the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with this title, and that she is acknowledged and honored as truly the Mother of God and of the redeemer. The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults likewise states that it is the faith of the Church that Mary is to be called the “Mother of God.” In the Eastern Churches, Mary is honored by the Greek expression Theotokos, translated as “Birth-giver of God” and sometimes as “God-Bearer.” Catholic reference material also identifies “Mother of God” as one of the four Catholic dogmas concerning Mary, together with her perpetual virginity, the Immaculate Conception, and the Assumption. The feast is observed on January 1. U.S. Catholic calendar listings for 2026, 2027, and 2028 give its official title as “Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God,” rank it as a solemnity, place it in Christmas Time, and assign the liturgical color white.
Patronage
- All humanity
Symbols & Iconography
- White liturgical color
Notable Facts
- Feast day: January 1
- Official U.S. title: Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
- Rank: Solemnity
- Season: Christmas Time
- USCCB lectionary number: 18
- Readings listed by the USCCB: Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21
- Theotokos means “Birth-giver of God” and is sometimes translated “God-Bearer”
Devotional Traditions
- Liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God express devotion to the Virgin Mary
- Marian prayer, such as the rosary, expresses devotion to the Virgin Mary