Bengaluru, January 1, 2025 – The Rosarians at Carmelaram welcomed the New Year 2025 with deep spirituality and joyful fellowship, marked by solemn prayers, heartfelt thanksgiving, and communal celebrations.
The evening began with the First Vespers of Mary, Mother of God, conducted in the Rosarian Generalate Chapel, where both the Rosarian Generalate and Rosarian Training Center communities gathered to honour the solemnity of the Mother of God. The prayerful atmosphere transitioned into adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, which continued until 11:00 PM, allowing everyone to spend time in silent contemplation and reflection.
From 11:00 PM to midnight, a Thanksgiving Holy Hour was held to express gratitude to Almighty God for the countless blessings and graces received throughout the year 2024. The hour concluded with a solemn benediction imparted by Rev. Fr. Prior General, leaving the congregation spiritually uplifted.
At the stroke of midnight, the Solemn New Year Vigil Holy Mass was celebrated by Very Rev. Fr. S. Justin Raj CR, the Prior General, in which both the RG and RTC communities took part. In his sermon, Fr. Justin Raj reflected on the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God at the dawn of the New Year 2025, and the Jubilee Year of the Lord. He also highlighted the significance of the upcoming 9th General Chapter of the Rosarian congregation, encouraging everyone to approach the year with renewed zeal and faith.
The Prior General began the homily highlighting Pope’s Intention: “Let us PRAY for migrants, refugees and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected”.
MARY MOTHER OF GOD; as we begin a New Year, the very first day with the Mother of God. In 431 AD, Mary was defined the title as Mother of God, Theotokos, by the council of Ephesus. But she was from the very beginning of Her call to be the Mother of the Redeemer, the Saviour of Humanity Jesus, She deserves this title by her very call. She became the source of the new beginning of humanity by giving birth to Jesus the New Adam. Thus she becomes the NEW EVE in the History of Salvation.
Her silence, Prayer and adoration to the Lord, in fulfilling God’s Will in Her life all the time that was her priority of her life; She pondered always in Her heart the revelations of God in the life and mission of Jesus, in the Salvation History.
Mother is always a Hope, that she will not abandon us at any circumstances. That is what we see from the life and example of our Blessed Mother. She is always an example to every mother and to the Church. That is why she is called the Mother the of the Church and Mother of all humanity.
There are many examples; Her role of mediation and protection from evil and danger felt by the Church in difficult times. For example, at the very birth of Church Mother Mary was with the Apostle until the Pentecost. Against the attract by schisms and heresies; of Albigensianism – St. Dominic and Bl. Mother gave Rosary to save it.
Jesus gave us His Mother to be our Mother as the foot of the cross, and we became sons and daughters of Mary together with Jesus our Brother, thus we might receive adoption as sons. God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying Abba Father”.
The life journey was not easy for Mary or Joseph, but they faced everything with Jesus Joyfully and courageously and with confidence that the Son of God will not fail them.
Jesus from His infancy to death by His miraculous and Divine presence was with Mary and Joseph and with everyone who encountered Jesus.
We believe and trust that with Mother of God, her maternal intercession we will never disappoint us rather she will lead and guide us in the right path and protect us from all dangers and evils.
Let us welcome this New Year with hearts filled with hope and trusting in the Lord, who can make all things new.
Mary is faithful and self-sacrificing Mother. Let us imitate Her daring faith, trust in her intercession and Hope that everything will go well with us in this year as we are celebrating the Jubilee year of the Lord 2025.
- Every Year, New Year comes and goes. But is there any newness in me?
- What is the newness I would like to experience in me?
- Who will bring newness in my life?
God cannot bring any newness in me unless I want it.
Therefore, let me make a strong resolution at least one. Sometimes we make many resolutions like,
- No to alcohol
- No to smoking
- No to over eating
- No to laziness
- No to gossip
- No to Phone addiction
- No lying etc.
- But at the end we follow none of them
Therefore, this time let me make one resolution to change my life, that one thing that is very much blocking me.
It is a Jubilee year too: God favours the one who keeps His laws. Jubilee is very important time. It is a time to reconcile with people whom we do not like and talk or relate or respect in order to receive the favours of the Lord.
Surely it will bring many good things and newness in everyone’s life. A Year filled with His Grace, mercy, love, compassion and abundance of Blessings.
As the Lord says to Moses through today’s first readings. (Num 6: 22-27) “You shall bless the people, saying, That the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and the gracious to you”.
Like the Shepherd let us glorify and praise God for all what we heard, seen and experienced in the last year and with new hope let us go forth with the message of Love of God. He has also given us the privilege to call God as “Abba Father”.
We have begun well with our Blessed Mother this New Year; “Well began is half done”. Let us walk with JESUS as our Blessed Mother did and He will do His will in our lives. Wish you a Happy New Year and all the Best.
Following the Holy Mass, the community gathered in the RG dining hall for a vibrant New Year gathering. The young brothers set the tone for the celebrations with a joyful wishing song, after which Fr. Prior General, joined by other councillors and Bursar General to cut the ceremonial cake. The spirit of fraternity and joy was palpable as everyone exchanged greetings, shared their hopes, and celebrated the arrival of the New Year together.
The New Year celebrations at Rosarian Monastery stood as a testament to the Rosarian community’s commitment to prayer, thanksgiving, and unity, heralding 2025 as a year of grace and renewal.
