The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops suggests a Prayer for the New Year which includes the following verse in the introduction:
“Our lives are made of days and nights, of seasons and years,
for we are part of a universe of suns and moons and planets.
We mark ends and we make beginnings and, in all, we
praise God for the grace and mercy that fill our days.”
With the new year upon us, we say farewell to 2022 and greet 2023 filled with hope and promise for the future. We begin the year with the best intentions to start off properly and keep our resolutions. This year, consider making your resolution simple and meaningful. Resolve to “praise God for the grace and mercy that fill our days.”
Our time is a sacred gift, and each day has a special significance. Traditionally, the Church assigns a different spiritual theme for every day of the week. These daily dedications are based largely upon scriptural events, are influenced by devotional desires and preferences, and vary over time. Detailed below is a typical schedule of dedications for the week:
Sunday–Resurrection and Holy Trinity
Monday–Holy Souls in Purgatory and Holy Spirit
Tuesday–Holy Angels
Wednesday–Saint Joseph
Thursday–Holy Eucharist
Friday–Passion of the Lord
Saturday-Blessed Virgin Mary.
Dedicating the days of the week to specific Catholic devotions provides a routine for contemplation designed to direct us toward the Lord and progress spiritually throughout the year. Daily dedications offer an opportunity for increased understanding of and appreciation for the mysteries of our faith. Incorporating these focal points into our prayer life helps us to grow in holiness and to strengthen our relationships with the Triune God, the Angels, Our Lady, Saint Joseph, and the holy souls in Purgatory. As we become more connected to the divine, our lives take on greater purpose. Recalling these subjects elevates any week into a holy week.
Be sure to follow our “Weekly Challenge” section this month for brief reflections on these daily meditation topics. And please share your favorite devotions and New Year’s resolutions with the group. Our Prayer for the New Year concludes with the following verse. Likewise, may your days be blessed and your months be filled with bright hope. Happy New Year!
“You have given us the wonder of time,
blessings in days and nights, seasons and years.
Bless your children at the turning of the year
and fill the months ahead with the bright hope
that is ours in the coming of Christ.”
