Solemnity of Mary

Solemnity of Mary Quick Facts - CA

ℹ HashtagsCompiled on15:11	#Solemnityofmary
Related Hashtags	#Catholic, #MotherOfGod, #Christmas, #Solemnity, #HappyNewYear, #NewYear
2024 Date	January 1, 2024
2025 Date	January 1, 2025

2024 Holidays & Dates

		Canadian & Common Holidays
		Misc. & Int'l. Observancesℹ
		Christian Holidays
		Jewish Holidays
		Muslim Holidays

Get Holiday reminders on Twitter:

Solemnity of Mary in 2024

Monday, Jan 1

Days to go:

The Solemnity of Mary is a significant religious observance within the Catholic Church that marks the honor bestowed upon Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. The observance recognizes and celebrates her role, acknowledging her as a vital figure in the Christian faith. It particularly highlights the belief in her immaculate conception and maternity of God through Jesus, often reflecting sentiments of piety, love, and respect toward her.

The observance has roots tracing back to the early Christian Church, though it wasn't until the 20th century that Pope Pius XI approved its liturgical feasting. Canadian Catholics, who make up approximately 38% of the nation's population, maintain a strong devotion to Mary. For them, the Solemnity of Mary isn't merely a mandated observance, but an opportunity to express their deep reverence for Mary as the Mother of God, mirroring the country's rich tradition of Marian devotion.

In Canada, the actual practices and traditions surrounding the observance of the Solemnity of Mary can vary. Generally, it includes attending Mass, reciting special prayers like the Rosary, and participating in various church activities. Particularly in Quebec, where devotion to Mary has historically been strong, the feast day is characterized by processions and communal prayers. The Solemnity of Mary is commonly celebrated on January 1st, which is officially recognized within the Catholic Church globally. However, this date can sometimes change in certain parts of Canada to accommodate local traditions and Catholic practices.

Facts about Solemnity of Mary

The Solemnity of Mary was at one time part of three feasts on January 1. They included the octave of the Lord, a recap of Christmas, and the Circumcision of the Lord. Many Catholics believe that the blood baby Jesus shed on his circumcision day was the beginning of his ministry as Redeemer.
In Roman Catholicism, Mary is referred to as the Queen of Peace, since the Messiah is referred to as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). The Solemnity of Mary is also World Day of Prayer for Peace in the Catholic Church.
The Canadian city of Montreal has a deep connection with the Virgin Mary. The city was originally named Ville-Marie, or City of Mary, and its coat of arms features an image of the Virgin Mary.
The holiday's origins can be traced back to the Council of Ephesus in the year 431, where Christians started to dedicate a feast day to the Virgin Mary.

Top things to do in Canada for Solemnity of Mary

Pray for peace around the world. A popular prayer for this is the famous Prayer of St. Francis:
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.
Study how Mary's role has changed in the Roman Catholic Church. Pope Pius VII wrote about the dogma concerning the assumption of Mary in 1950. The belief proclaims that Mary didn't die but ascended into heaven like Christ did after his resurrection. Mary's assumption doesn't appear in scripture, but is referred to in early church writings. This dogma is a major theological difference between the Roman Catholic Church and Protestant denominations.