Nigeria, Jan. 1 -- Today, the Church sets before us Mary as a model of virtue. In the first reading, Moses blesses the children of Israel at God's command. In the second reading, St. Paul assures that we have received the spirit of adoption. The gospel reveals how Mary kept everything that was said about her son and pondered them in her heart. With Mary, we can face the New Year with confidence.

Theotokos, Marian Dogmas, and Mary in Islam

A dogma is an official teaching of the Catholic Church about faith and morals proclaimed by the Magisterium (the teaching body of the Church) through the Roman Pontiff that is binding on all Catholics. It invites us to learn from Mary's school of love and obedience to God's will. The four Marian dogmas...