Dec. 31: Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph
Today's feast, celebrated within the octave of Christmas, highlights the importance of the Holy Family as a model for every virtue necessary for human life.
Pope Leo XIII instituted this feast as a liturgical celebration in 1893, and in 1921, Pope Benedict XV added the Feast of the Holy Family to the universal Church calendar, solidifying the day as a day for renewed appreciation for the sacredness of family life.
As we honor the Holy Family, look into your own heart and ask how Jesus, Mary and Joseph can teach you how to show a greater depth of love to those in your own family.
Jan 1: Mary, the Holy Mother of God
Mary heard the word of God and observed it with perfection. She is the only mother to ever understand the unfathomable beauty of being the mother of the Son of God. The bond between Mary and her divine Son was deeper than a human bond—for Jesus was not only her Son, but also her Savior.
We give the title of "Mother of God" to our Blessed Mother to express our faith in the divinity.
From the Annunciation to her standing before the cross, we can see that Mary's motherhood encompassed her whole being. As the Mother of God, she is the mother of all God's children, including you—rejoice, honor and love her!
National Eucharistic Congress: July 17-21, 2024
Join Bishop Walsh and other faithful from the diocese at the National Eucharistic Congress in July 2024. More information about the Congress, including the cost to attend is available at dioceseofgaylord.org/NEC2024.
Up North Catholic E-Newsletter
The Diocese of Gaylord has recently launched a weekly e-newsletter that will help deepen your understanding and relationship with God. Subscribe now and receive a variety of faith-based content including Bishop Walsh's "Checking In" video via email every Wednesday afternoon. Sign up today: dioceseofgaylord.org/subscribe.
