Opening Prayer
Blessed Mother Mary, as we begin this new year under your maternal
protection, we ask you to guide our hearts closer to your Son. Throughout this
month, help us to contemplate the many ways you have appeared to your children
across the centuries, offering comfort, hope, and the pathway to Jesus. May
each day deepen our love for you and strengthen our faith in your Son. We ask
this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Daily Reflections
January 1 - Circumcision of Our Lord; Mary, Mother of God. On this solemn feast, we honor Mary's
divine motherhood as Jesus receives the name given by the angel and enters
fully into the covenant of his people. Mary pondered these mysteries in her
heart, witnessing her infant Son's first shedding of blood, a foreshadowing of
his sacrifice on Calvary. As we begin the new year, let us place ourselves
under the patronage of the Mother of God, asking her to present all our
intentions to her divine Son.
January 2 - Our Lady of the Pillar (40 A.D.) According to ancient tradition, the
Blessed Virgin appeared to St. James the Greater in Zaragoza, Spain, while she
was still living in Jerusalem, standing atop a pillar of jasper. She encouraged
him in his missionary work and left the pillar as a testament to her presence.
January 3 - Our Lady of Sichem, Belgium (474) Mary's ancient shrine at Sichem
reminds us of her enduring presence in the early Church. Through the centuries,
countless pilgrims have sought her maternal intercession at this holy place.
January 4 - Our Lady of Treves, Italy (746); Appeared to St. Jerome
Emiliani, 1530. In Treves, Mary has been venerated since ancient times, while centuries
later she appeared to St. Jerome Emiliani, founder of the Somaschi Fathers,
strengthening him in his care for orphans and the abandoned.
January 5 - Our Lady of Abundance or Prosperity, Cursi, Italy (1641). At Cursi, Mary provides for her
children's needs, both spiritual and temporal. She teaches us that true
prosperity comes from abundant grace and trust in divine providence.
January 6 - Our Lady of Cana On this feast of the Epiphany, we recall Mary's presence at the wedding
feast of Cana, where her intercession prompted Jesus to perform his first
miracle. Her words to the servants, ”Do whatever he tells you," remain her
message to all generations. Mary shows us that she notices our needs and brings
them to her Son, teaching us to trust in his perfect timing and to follow his
commands faithfully.
January 7 - Our Lady of Egypt We remember the Holy Family's flight into Egypt, where Mary protected
the infant Jesus from Herod's persecution. She is the patroness of refugees and
all who seek safety from danger.
January 8 - Our Lady of Prompt Succor, New Orleans, Louisiana (1809). Brought to New Orleans by the
Ursuline sisters, this title celebrates Mary's swift assistance in times of
urgent need. She is particularly invoked for protection from hurricanes and
disasters.
January 9 - Our Lady of Clemency, or Our Lady of Mercy of Absam, near
Innsbruck, Austria (1797). Mary's appearance at Absam reminds us of her merciful heart toward
sinners. She invites all to return to her Son, no matter how far they have
strayed.
January 10 - Our Lady of Guides, Manila (1570). The first Marian image brought to the
Philippines, Our Lady of Guides, has led countless souls to Christ. She
illuminates the path of faith for those seeking truth.
January 11 - Our Lady of Bessiere, Limousin, France. In the French countryside, Mary's
shrine at Bessiere has been a place of pilgrimage and grace. She draws hearts
to prayer and conversion in quiet, humble places.
January 12 - Our Lady of Conquest, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Also known as La Conquistadora, this
oldest representation of Mary in the United States symbolizes her victory over
sin and her role in the evangelization of the Americas.
January 13 - Our Lady of Victory, Prague, Czechoslovakia (1620) Home of the famous Infant of Prague,
this shrine celebrates Mary's maternal care for the Christ Child and her
powerful intercession in times of war and peace.
January 14 - Our Lady of the Word, Montserrat, Spain (1514) At the sacred mountain of Montserrat,
Mary is honored as the one who gave us the Word made flesh. She teaches us to
treasure and ponder God's word in our hearts.
January 15 - Our Lady of Banneux, Belgium (1933) Mary appeared to a young girl as the
"Virgin of the Poor," directing her to a healing spring and calling
all to prayer and trust. She shows special concern for the poor and suffering.
January 16 - Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners. Under this tender title, Mary
welcomes all who have fallen into sin and seek reconciliation. Her mantle of
protection covers those who turn to her with contrite hearts.
January 17 - Our Lady of Pontmain, France (1871) During the Franco-Prussian War, Mary
appeared to children with a message of hope: "Pray, my children, God will
answer your prayers soon." Her intercession brought peace and protection.
January 18 - Our Lady of Dijon, France (1513) The ancient image of Our Lady of
Dijon has been venerated for centuries as a source of miracles and conversions.
Mary continues to work wonders for those who seek her aid.
January 19 - The Finding of Jesus in the Temple. After three days of anguished
searching, Mary and Joseph found the twelve-year-old Jesus among the teachers
in the Temple, listening and asking questions. Mary treasured this mystery in
her heart, even as she struggled to understand her Son's mission. This event
reveals Jesus' awareness of his divine identity and mission, while showing us
Mary's model of faith amid confusion and suffering. Like Mary, we must seek
Jesus persistently when we feel we have lost him, trusting that we will find
him in his Father's house.
January 20 - Our Lady of the Tables, Montpellier, France. Known as Notre-Dame des Tables, this
shrine in Montpellier has been a center of Marian devotion since medieval
times, where Mary provided protection and blessings to merchants and pilgrims
alike.
January 21 - Our Lady of Exile Mary, who experienced exile in Egypt, understands the pain of
displacement and alienation. She accompanies all who are far from home, whether
physically or spiritually.
January 22 - Our Lady of Bethlehem We honor Mary in the place where she gave birth to our
Savior. Bethlehem, the house of bread, gave us the Bread of Life through Mary's
fiat.
January 23 - Feast of Our Lady's Espousals, approved by Pope Paul III
(1546). We celebrate the
holy marriage of Mary and Joseph, a union of perfect purity and obedience to
God's will. Their example illuminates the sanctity of marriage and family life.
January 24 - Our Lady of Peace (1917) In the midst of World War I, Mary was invoked as Queen
of Peace. She continues to intercede for peace in our troubled world and in our
hearts.
January 25 - Translation of the Winding Sheet & Tomb of Our Lady to
Constantinople (455) The Church honors the relics of Mary's earthly life, reminding us that
though she was assumed body and soul into heaven, she walked this earth as one
of us.
January 26 - Our Lady of Long Fields/Our Lady of Atocha, Madrid, Spain
(1261) A beloved image in
Spain, Our Lady of Atocha has been credited with numerous miracles and has
accompanied Spanish explorers in spreading the faith to new lands.
January 27 - Our Lady of Life, Provence, France Mary, who gave life to Life itself,
is honored as the protector of all human life from conception to natural death.
She teaches us to reverence the gift of life.
January 28 - Our Lady of Good Succor (1613) Under this title, Mary promises her
swift aid to those who call upon her in their necessities. She is always ready
to help her children in their struggles.
January 29 - Our Lady of Chatillion sur Seine, France (1130) An ancient shrine where Mary has
manifested her maternal care for centuries, drawing pilgrims to prayer and
devotion in the beauty of rural France.
January 30 - Our Lady of the Rose, Lucca, Italy Mary is honored as a mystical rose,
whose beauty and fragrance draw souls to God. She is the rose without thorns,
conceived without sin.
January 31 - Apparition of Our Lady to Blessed Angela de Foligno (1285). Mary appeared to this great mystic,
guiding her deeper into the mysteries of Christ's passion and the spiritual
life. She continues to lead contemplative souls into intimate union with God.
Closing Prayer
Holy Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, as we conclude this month
dedicated to honoring your many titles and appearances throughout history, we
thank you for your constant maternal presence in the life of the Church. You
have shown yourself to be our advocate, our refuge, and our guide to Jesus. As
we continue through this year, help us to imitate your virtues of faith, hope,
and charity. May we always respond to God's will with your generous
"yes," and may we grow ever closer to your Son through your loving
intercession. We ask this through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
©2026 James Dacey,
Jr., OFS
