Mary, Mother of God, January 1
The year opens with the Church honoring Mary as Mother of God, a title confirmed at the Council of Ephesus in 431. It falls on the octave day of Christmas. Since 1968 it has also been the World Day of Peace.
On the General Roman Calendar, January 1 is a solemnity: Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.
Other saints on January 1
- St. Fulgentius of Ruspe, bishop (533)
- St. William of Volpiano, abbot (1031)
January 1 on the calendar
January 1 is the 1st day of the year, with 364 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday |
| 2027 | Friday |
| 2028 | Saturday |
| 2029 | Monday |
| 2030 | Tuesday |
Keeping January 1
January 1 falls in the Christmas season. As a solemnity, it ranks among the highest celebrations of the year: the Mass includes the Gloria and the Creed, and some solemnities are holy days of obligation. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival.
Saints of the week around January 1
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| December 29 | St. Thomas Becket |
| December 30 | St. Egwin |
| December 31 | St. Sylvester I |
| January 2 | Sts. Basil and Gregory |
| January 3 | Most Holy Name of Jesus |
| January 4 | St. Elizabeth Ann Seton |
The day before, December 31, is the day of St. Sylvester I. The day after, January 2, belongs to Sts. Basil and Gregory. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.