Simple Ways to Celebrate the feast of Mary, Mother of God for New Year's

The solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is dedicated to Mary’s motherhood: to Jesus and to each of us. It is a holy day of obligation.

The title “Mother of God” comes from the Greek Theotokos, which means “God-bearer.” We are each called to be God-bearers in this world in how we act and live. Because the solemnity lands on New Year’s Day, why not throw a Marian-themed New Year’s party either on New Year's Eve or on New Year's Day!

Eat Marian Foods

Edlerflower Rose Gimlet: Roses symbolize Mary because of their beauty.

Pear & Gorgonzola Pizza: Pears are an ancient symbol of Mary because of their sweetness.

Strawberry Rhubarb Galette: Strawberries symbolize the fruitfulness of Mary.

Decorate with Gold Star

Decorate the party room with gold stars to celebrate our Holy Mother and the New Year. You can find lots of options that will fit your space online or at a party store. You can also cut them out from gold poster board.

Make a Marian Halo

Mary has a crown of twelve stars, which represent both the twelve patriarchs of the tribes of Israel (original people of God) and the twelve apostles. You can pull out your crown to wear on the many Marian feast days throughout the year.

• Headband

• Gold and silver pipe cleaners

• Gold pom-poms

• 12 gold stars

• Hot glue gun (this is THE best glue gun you'll ever own)

• Hot glue

• Scissors

If you want to do this as a party activity, you will need a few hot glue guns and enough multiples of each material. Glue 12 pom-poms on top of a headband as the base. Fold the pipe cleaners at various lengths and run your fingers over them to give a slight curl. In between each of the pom-poms on the headband, dab some hot glue and stick the folded end of a pipe cleaner in. Cut the pipe cleaners to your desired height, saving the offcuts for later. It will begin to take shape. 

Then glue all of the offcuts in between the pom-poms and pipe cleaners. Keep going until it is nice and full. Then glue your 12 gold stars on the ends of the long pipe cleaners. You can fill in with more pom-poms on the ends of other pipe cleaners to make the crown more fluffy. 

Choose a Word and Saint of the Year

Prep two bowls of little papers—one bowl should have an assortment of “words” of intention, and one bowl should have an assortment of saints (see lists below). Have each guest prayerfully pick one of each. Then go around in a circle and share each person’s word of the year and saint. It is also fun if you give everyone a few minutes to research their saint to share something about them with the group. 

You could also add a verse of the year and write out Bible verses for people to choose from a third bowl. 

Create collages using magazines with images and words based on the themes around your word and saint to hang in a prominent place at home.

A list of saints to get you started: St. Joan of Arc, St. Ignatius, St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Michael, St. Agnes, St. Cecilia, St. Boniface, St. Isidore the Farmer, St. Catherine of Siena, St. John Bosco, St. Ambrose, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), St. Rose of Lima, St. Mary MacKillop, St. Ann, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Maria Goretti, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, St. Augustine, St. Óscar Romero, St. Paul, St. Jude, St. Rita of Cascia, St. Francis de Sales, St. Jane Frances de Chantal, St. Benedict, St. Thomas More, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Clement, St. John Vianney, St. Philip Neri, St. John Henry Newman, St. Blaise, St. Katharine Drexel, St. Clare of Assisi

A list of words to inspire: adapt, enough, enjoy, focus, release, grow, love, wonder, trust, shift, yes, heal, courage, pause, jump, rest, strive, hope, new

You can also use my friend, Jen's, Word of the Year Generator here!