Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
Midnight Mass – 1 January 2026
Dear friends, Happy New Year! As the clock has just struck midnight, we welcome 2026 not with the noise of fireworks alone, but in the quiet of this holy night, gathered around Mary, the Mother of God. Tonight the Church celebrates her solemnly as Theotokos—God-bearer—the woman who brought into our world the true Light that scatters every darkness.
The Gospel we have heard shows us the shepherds rushing to the manger. There they find Mary, Joseph, and the Child. And what does Mary do? Saint Luke tells us: “Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” In that simple line we see the heart of motherhood: attentive, silent, full of love, always keeping and reflecting on what God is doing in her life and in the lives of those entrusted to her.
Mary is the model of every mother. In the Bible, the word “mother” speaks of origin and unity. In Hebrew it is ʾēm, the bond that holds the family together, the source of life. In Greek it is mētēr, the root we still hear in words like “metropolis” (mother city), “alma mater” (nourishing mother), “mother tongue,” “mother earth.” A mother is the one who gives life, nurtures it, protects it, and unites those around her.
In every family, a mother is truly the heartbeat. She teaches the first prayers, wipes away tears, sacrifices quietly, and keeps the home alive with love. In society, mothers are builders of compassion. They shape children who will one day become citizens of justice and peace. Without their patient, hidden work, our communities would lose their soul.
Yet Mary’s motherhood teaches us something even deeper: hope. She gave birth in a stable, fled as a refugee to Egypt, and stood beneath the Cross. Still, she never lost hope. She trusted that God’s promises are stronger than any hardship. Today, so many mothers carry the same hope. In homes struggling with poverty or illness, they rise each morning to feed, encourage, and pray. They teach their children that after every dark night comes a new dawn. Their hope is contagious; it renews the world.
But hope is not naïve. It faces reality. Our world today is wounded by greed. Greed corrupts, steals from the poor, and widens the gap between rich and poor. It builds walls instead of bridges. Yet Mary, who raised her Son in poverty and watched Him die for the sake of justice, calls us to resist greed with a mother’s fierce love. We fight corruption not with anger alone, but with honesty in our work, generosity in our giving, and solidarity with the needy. Caring for the poor is not optional charity; it is justice. When we share our bread and speak for the voiceless, we honour Mary and become co-workers with God in building a society where hope can truly flourish.
My dear friends, as we are about to receive the Eucharist—the same Body of Christ once carried in Mary’s womb—let us make a simple resolution for 2026. Let us imitate her: treasure God’s word in our hearts, nurture hope in our families, and fight greed with generous love.
Mothers, know how precious you are. Families, support and honour them. All of us, let us carry Mary’s light, justice, and hope into this new year.
May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us. A blessed and hopeful 2026 to you all!
