Jan. 1 marks a new year, but it’s also the day Catholics celebrate the solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God — one of 17 feast days and three solemnities that honor Mary, along with the Annunciation and the Immaculate Conception.
But in the Church’s view, the solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary “ranks as the greatest and the most important of all of the celebrations of Mary, particularly because she is so central in the mystery of the Incarnation, the fact that Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us,” said Father Michael Van Sloun, director of clergy personnel for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
The solemnity falls on the eighth day after Christmas, “celebrating the closing of the octave of Christmas,” Father Van Sloun said. “And the two primary players for the Christmas celebration are Jesus, the son of God, born on Christmas, and Mary, the mother of God … and that’s the reason why we would give her such a major feast at the end of the octave,” he said.
Father Van Sloun recently joined “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley to discuss the significance of the solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Father Van Sloun grew up in a family that regularly prayed the rosary, including doing so as a family every day during Lent and weekly outside of Lent. When traveling, the family prayed the rosary together in their car.
He said he speaks to people regularly about “the intercessory power of Mary,” praying through her so she would present prayers to Jesus “on our behalf.”
“Because she … was assumed to heaven, and she’s next to Jesus in heaven, and because he loves her so much, she has his ear,” he said.
Father Van Sloun also described how Our Blessed Mother can help families grieving the loss of a loved one. “She was at the foot of the cross and she lost her son,” he said. “If anybody knows what an aching heart is, she does. And in your moment of loss, if you would turn to her, she will … help you through this.”
During the interview, Father Van Sloun named the 17 feast days that honor Our Blessed Mother. Listeners can test their knowledge of the 17 or learn their names by listening to this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which debuts at 9 p.m. Dec. 30 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and repeats at 1 p.m. Dec. 31 and 2 p.m. Jan. 1.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes an interview with Bill Dill, marriage prep and youth ministry events coordinator for the archdiocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Life, and Madeline Larson, youth ministry and marriage prep assistant for the office, who describe the archdiocese-sponsored bus trip to the upcoming March for Life in Washington, D.C.; and a reprised interview with Father John Paul Erickson, pastor of Transfiguration in Oakdale, who offers tips for making resolutions for the new year.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at?PracticingCatholicShow.com or choose a streaming platform at anchor.fm/practicing-catholic-show.
