Friday, January 1
WORLD DAY FOR PEACE
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
From left: The first known Marian image is a Madonna painted on the wall of a 2nd century Roman catacomb; Our Lady of Kazan, 13th-century Russian icon; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a 13th-century icon from Crete brought to Rome in the 16th century and venerated since the 19th century under her present title; Our Lady of Vladimir, 12th century Russian icon and one of the most venerated images in the Russian orthodox faith; two graphic icons of Mary as the God-bearer,
In 1974, Pope Paul VI instituted this feast on January 1 in place of the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus, as the Roman Catholic Church had celebrated the day for centuries. As the Church also celebrates a World Day for Peace on January 1, Paul VI pointed out it was doubly appropriate since Mary is also the Queen of Peace. The first documented reference to Mary as the Mother of God was made by Origen in 252. Veneration of Mary as the Theotokos - 'God-bearer' - became widespread in the next two centuries and initiated a great controversy when the Emperor Nestorius claimed that Mary was only the mother of Jesus the man. Both the Councils of Ephesus and Chalcedon in the 5th century condemned the Nestorian heresy and confirmed the doctrine of the Theotokos. Mary as the God-bearer was a favorite subject of Byzantine icon painters.
Readings for today's Mass: www.usccb.org/nab/readings/010110.shtml
OR today.
The issue was printed before last evening's Vespers so that event is not carried in this issue.
The Page 1 papal story is the Holy Father's letter to the Bishop of Santiago de Compostela,
on the opening of the Holy Year of St. James (Santiago in Spanish) the Major. A front-page
editorial focuses on Benedict XVI's insistence on asserting God in today's world. Other news:
the terror killing of 8 CIA agents in an Afghan base by an Afghan whom they were recruiting
as an informant; continuing tension in Tehran as protesters defy the regime; and renewed
fear of terrorist attacks in the United States.
THE POPE'S DAY
The Holy Father celebrated Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and then led the Angelus
from his window overlooking St. Peter's Square.
The Holy Father's
prayer intentions for January 2010
Young people and social communications media
General: That young people may learn to use modern means of social communication
for their personal growth and to better prepare themselves to serve society.
Christian unity
Missionary: That every believer in Christ may be conscious that unity among all
Christians is a condition for more effective proclamation of the Gospel.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 02/01/2010 16:29]