1st January: The Solemnity of Our Lady - Independent Catholic News

1st January: The Solemnity of Our Lady - Independent Catholic News: Today the Church celebrates the oldest feast dedicated to Our Lady - Theotokos, Mother of God. This title was given to Mary at the Council of Ephesus in 431AD The Second Vatican Council stated: 'Clearly from earliest times the Blessed Virgin is honoured under the title of Mother of God.' and at an early stage the Church in Rome celebrated on 1 January a feast that it called the anniversary (Natale) of the Mother of God.