Mary Most Holy

As the last page of the calendar flips from 2025 to 2026, and not yet knowing what the new year will bring, it is fitting we entrust our lives to our spiritual Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Every time we pray the “Hail Mary,” we invoke her care, “pray for us now, and at the hour of our death.” Within the powerful phrase of supplication, we acknowledge the need for her continued help as our spiritual Mother. In confidence, our relationship with her presumes a close unity with her Son.

It is right and just that the first day of a new year be dedicated to honoring the Mother of God for her unique role in salvation and the continued help she willingly offers to her spiritual children. We often use the description of Jesus as the Son of God who took on human flesh, who is like us in all things but sin. The same descriptor can be used for Mary as well. Although she was sinless from the moment of her conception, she suffered many times throughout her life, as we all do, and never once lost faith in God or in her Son’s mission to conquer sin and death.

Mary’s fiat, or her affirmative answer to the angel Gabriel’s request from God, began a life never free from pain and hardships. How frightening the message of the angel must have been. Once she gave herself entirely to God, the strength of His grace sustained her for earthly and heavenly mission. 

When she gave birth to the Savior in the lowliness of a stable, fit for filthy animals, and never meant to be inhabited by humans, let alone an infant, she would understand lowliness before God. God willed her to be there with Joseph because there was no room for them in the inn. By today’s standards, it must have been akin to giving birth to her child under a viaduct.

After eight days, as the law prescribed, she presented Jesus in the Temple. Simeon, a devout and righteous man in the presence of the Holy Spirit, prophesied, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and you yourself a sword will pierce.” Simeon told Mary her life would include great sorrow because she is the Mother of God and would be a participant in the destruction of sin and death, not an easy and painless undertaking. 

In a dream, an angel told St. Joseph to flee to Egypt to save the child from Herod’s murderous plans.  Undoubtedly, an anxious time for the new Mother of the Savior. This, however, would not be the end of her concerns.

It wasn’t too much later when Mary and Joseph frantically looked for Jesus, who was lost for three days. Finally, they found him in the Temple.  When found, Jesus told them he must be the Father’s house, a veiled reference to Jesus’ mission, directed not only by bloodlines, as the Jews thought, but to all humanity.

As Jesus began his ministry, the theme became increasingly evident. Mary, as the Mother of God, was being transformed by Jesus to become the mother of all the living in the order of grace. While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, someone came up to Him and told him his Mother and disciples wished to talk to Him. Jesus responded that his mother and brothers are the ones who do the Father’s will.   

At the wedding at Cana, Jesus referred to Mary as “woman.” It seems that Jesus’s answer to his mother was cold and detached. That interpretation is based upon a purely human emotion and does not consider that the Kingdom of God is not gained by being born to a human family. Instead, the new and eternal family is comprised of those who do the will of God. 

Mary’s mothership to all, climaxed at the foot of the Cross.   And as he hung dying before her eyes, she was given into the care of another, for the earthly bond with her Son would now be changed forever, and her new role as the Mother of all the living started.

Clearly, Mary knew and lived the hardships of earthly life that her children do as well.  She was never insulated or spared from its effects and is compassionate to all her children now undergoing such pain and trial.

Through her intercession, she is always working as our advocate, helping us remain faithful disciples of her Son. As we begin the new year, take to heart the words you pray often, “pray for us now, and at the hour of our death,” because we are grateful to have Mary as our spiritual mother. We are her children because we are made one with the Son, her Son, Jesus Christ. As our spiritual mother, she never forgets her children, here on earth and in heaven.

What a great way to start a new year by spending time with our spiritual Mother, Mary Most Holy.

Happy New Year.