Catholic Morning Offering, Thursday, January 1, 2026, Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

A Happy and Blessed New Year!

Starting the morning off with God is the key to strength and success in your day!

Join me in praying the Catholic morning offering, as well as hear meditations, learn about the saint of the day,  and hear today's Scripture readings from Holy Mass.

To sign up to receive a daily email of the Morning Offering through The Catholic Company, go to https://www.morningoffering.com/

Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

The Morning Glory Consecration Prayer is excerpted from "33 Days to Morning Glory:  A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Marian Consecration" by Michael E. Gaitley, MIC, © 2011 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M., p. 137.

If you have any comments, please email me at Deanna.pierre25@gmail.com.

Transcript

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Starting the morning off with God is the key to strength and success in your day. Good morning. Today is Thursday, january first, 2026. Please join me in praying the morning offering prayer and prayers for our Holy Father. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen. O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day, for all the intentions of your sacred heart, in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians, and in particular for the holy intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen. Prayers for the Holy Father Almighty and everlasting God, have mercy upon thy servant, Pope Leo XV, our supreme pontiff, and direct him according to thy loving kindness in the way of eternal salvation, that of thy gift he may ever desire that which is pleasing unto thee, and may accomplish it with all his might, through Christ our Lord, amen. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, amen. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, amen. In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen. Quote from Saint Thomas Aquinas As mariners are guided into port by the shining of a star, so Christians are guided to heaven by Mary. Meditation of the Day an excerpt from the Sermons of Saint Alphonsus Ligory for all the Sundays of the year page seventy five. Saint Peter Damian says that the Virgin loves us with an invincible love. How ardently soever the saints may have loved this amiable queen, their affection fell far short of the love which Mary bore to them. It is this love that makes her so solicitous for our welfare. The saints in heaven, says Saint Augustine, have great power to obtain grace from God for those who recommend themselves to their prayers. But as Mary is of all the saints the most powerful, so she is of all the most desirous to procure for us the divine mercy. Imitation of Mary in four books by Alexander de Rouville Book one Life and Virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary from her Immaculate Conception to the Birth of Jesus Chapter one Imitation of the Virtues of the Blessed Virgin Blessed those who do not abandon the way I have bidden them go. Blessed those who listen to what I tell them. Proverbs eight verses thirty two thirty three. And who follow the models of virtue I offer them. In putting these words on the lips of Mary, the Church urges us to study the life of the Queen of Saints and to imitate her splendid example. Happy the man who imitates our lady, for in imitating her he imitates Jesus, King and incomparable model of all virtue. The Blessed Virgin's life contains lessons for everyone. If we study it, we learn how to live in prosperity and adversity, prayer and work, honors and humiliations. We shall never attain the perfection she brought to every action, but our perfection can be measured by our closeness to her. You claim to be the servants of Mary. Do you really want to become like her in her sublime holiness? Then imitate as far as you can, her lively faith, her prompt obedience, her deep humility, her selfless intentions, her generous love. Is there any one of you that cannot make it your aim, with the help of God's grace, to follow Mary's example and the practice of these virtues? Without such imitation, your love for her will be a weak thing indeed, and you cannot expect to receive evident proof of her special protection. True enough, you recite daily prayers in her honor, you give external signs of your devotion to her, you belong to a society that is especially consecrated to her, and all this binds her to ask God for the saving graces you need. But if your devotion does not take you a step further and lead you to imitate her virtues, then your devotion will not save you. The Philistines took possession of the Ark of the Lord and adorned it with their gifts, but the Ark did not become a source of blessing for them because they continued to adore their idols as before. O queen of all the virtues, is it not fitting that one who loves you should do for you what he does for his friends in this world? We try to adapt ourselves to our friends' character and to make their likes and dislikes our own. Such adaptation leads to a union of hearts. In fact, we may say that where there is no likeness there can be no friendship. Your heart, blessed virgin, is utterly humble, pure, submissive to God's will, and zealous for his interests. How can it be united in the bonds of affection to a heart that is pleasure seeking, proud, unresigned to God's will, and without zeal for his glory? The apostle rightly says If you love me, then imitate me as I imitate Jesus chapter four verse. If you are really my children, Mary says, then make your mother's spirit your own, the spirit of charity, peace, self denial, and reverent love for God. Holy Virgin, from now on I will show you my loving devotion by imitating your virtues. There is no greater homage, no greater proof of love that I can give. Scripture verse of the day but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew chapter six verses thirty three through thirty four. Saint of the Day The Saint of the Day for january first is Saint Joseph Mary Tomasi. Saint Joseph Mary Tomasi lived between sixteen forty nine and seventeen thirteen. He was born in Sicily to noble and virtuous parents. He received a good Christian education and was drawn to the things of God from an early age. He renounced his inheritance and titles, transferring them to his brother, and entered religious life in the order of the cleric's regular Theotine, founded by Saint Cahetin. When their children were grown, his parents also entered religious life. Saint Joseph Tomasi became so well known for his sanctity and learning that his advice and friendship was widely sought. He was a master of several languages, including Hebrew, and converted his teacher, a Jewish rabbi, to Christianity. He is known for his writings on theology and love of the Roman liturgy, earning him the name Liturgical Doctor. Some of the liturgical reforms he sought were adopted in the twentieth century. He was famous for teaching catechism to the children of his titular church and its congregants, Gregorian chant. He was appointed a cardinal and not long after suffered from pneumonia and died. Saint Joseph Mary Tomasi is the patron saint of liturgy. Saint Joseph Mary Tomasi, pray for us. Readings for Holy Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. A reading from the Book of Numbers, chapter six, verses twenty two through twenty seven. The Lord said to Moses, Speak to Aaron and his sons, and tell them, This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace. So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them. The word of the Lord. Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 67. May God bless us in his mercy. May God have pity on us and bless us. May He let His face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth, among all nations your salvation. May God bless us in His mercy. May the nations be glad and exult, because you rule the peoples in equity. The nations on the earth you guide. May God bless us in his mercy. May the peoples praise you, O God, may all the peoples praise you. May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him. May God bless us in his mercy. A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians, chapter 4, verses 4 through 7. Brothers and sisters, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, Abba, Father, so you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then also an heir through God the word of the Lord. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke, chapter two, verses sixteen through twenty one. The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem, and found Mary and Joseph, and the infants lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. The Gospel of the Lord Prayer of Spiritual Communion In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen. My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most blessed sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there, and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen. Morning Glory Consecration Prayer Mary, my mother, I give myself totally to you as your possession and property. Please make of me, of all that I am and have, whatever most pleases you. Let me be a fit instrument in your immaculate and merciful hands for bringing the greatest possible glory to God. Amen. Prayer to Saint Joseph. O glorious Saint Joseph, chosen by God to be the guardian of the Holy Family, whose protection is so great, so strong, in union with the Blessed Virgin Mary and our Savior Jesus Christ, send down from heaven a blessing from God to protect us from any harm, strengthen us in body, soul, and spirit. We ask this through thy powerful intercession. Holy Family, pray for us, amen. Guardian Angel Prayer O angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide, amen. Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel. Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray, and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits, who prowl throughout the world, seeking the ruin of souls, amen. The three Hail Marys Devotion The first Hail Mary, in honor of God the Father. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen. The second Hail Mary in honor of God the Son. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen. The third Hail Mary, in honor of God, the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen. O my mother, preserve my soul from mortal sin during this day. Amen. Memori to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my mother, to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen. Act of Faith. O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man, died for our sins, and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because you have revealed them who can neither deceive nor be deceived. In this faith I intend to live and die. Amen. Act of hope. O my God, relying on your almighty power, infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon for my sins, the help of your grace, and the life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen. Act of love. O my God, I love you above all things with my whole heart and soul, because you are all good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of you. I forgive all who have injured me and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen. Prayer for the poor souls in purgatory. O gentle heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls in purgatory, have mercy on them. Be not severe in thy judgment, but let some drops of thy precious blood fall upon the devouring flames. Merciful Savior, send thy angels to conduct them to a place of refreshment, light, and peace. Amen. Act of resignation to the divine will. O Lord my God, from this moment do I accept from thy hands with burning love and sincere contrition, with a calm and willing disposition, whatsoever death thou shalt choose to send me with its pains and griefs. Amen. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen. Starting the morning off with God is the key to strength and success in your day.