For Catholics, the New Year begins with thanksgiving and with Mary: on New Year’s Eve the Church sings the Te Deum in thanks for the past year, and on January 1 she celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, and the World Day of Peace. Below are prayers to close the old year and open the new one, the traditional blessing from the Bible, the special indulgences of December 31 and January 1, and what to know about Mass on New Year’s Day.
A prayer of thanksgiving for the past year
Written for this page:
Lord God, thank you for this year that is ending:
for every joy and every gift, for the people you gave me,
and even for the trials that drew me closer to you.
Forgive me for the times I failed to love you and my neighbor.
I place the past in your mercy, the present in your love,
and the future in your providence. Amen.
A prayer for the New Year
Written for this page:
Lord Jesus, Lord of time and eternity,
I begin this new year with you.
Bless my family, my work and my health.
Give me a deeper life of prayer, a more faithful heart,
and the grace to do your will each day.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, take this year into your hands. Amen.
The priestly blessing for the New Year
On January 1 the Church reads the blessing God gave to Aaron for the people of Israel. It is a beautiful blessing for parents to pray over their children at the start of the year:
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee.
The Lord shew his face to thee, and have mercy on thee.
The Lord turn his countenance to thee, and give thee peace.
The Te Deum on December 31 and the Veni Creator on January 1
- On December 31, many parishes sing the Te Deum in thanksgiving for the year. A plenary indulgence may be gained, under the usual conditions, by taking part in its public recitation or singing.
- On January 1, the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus is sung to ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance for the new year, with the same plenary indulgence for public recitation.
Mass on New Year’s Day
January 1 is the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, the octave day of Christmas. In the United States it is a holy day of obligation (in 2027 it falls on a Friday, so the obligation applies). It is also the World Day of Peace, established by Pope St. Paul VI in 1968. See the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and holy days of obligation.
Spiritual resolutions for the New Year
- Pray every day, even ten minutes: try the Daily Examen or Lectio Divina.
- Go to confession regularly, perhaps monthly.
- Read a Gospel from beginning to end.
- Choose a saint for the year and learn from his or her life. See the saint of the day.
- Serve someone in need every week. See the works of mercy.
Frequently asked questions
Is New Year’s Day a holy day of obligation?
In the United States, January 1 (Mary, Mother of God) is a holy day of obligation, except when it falls on a Saturday or a Monday. In 2027 it is a Friday, so the obligation applies.
What do Catholics pray on New Year’s Eve?
Traditionally the Te Deum in thanksgiving, often at an evening Mass or holy hour. Many families also pray a Rosary together before midnight.
What saint is celebrated on January 1?
The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. January 2 honors Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen.
More for the Christmas season
- Psalm 67 (May God bless us in his mercy)
- Psalm 90 (Lord, you have been our refuge)
- Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
- Te Deum
- Epiphany
- Catholic Christmas prayers
- Catholic prayer for peace
- Liturgical calendar
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Numbers 6:24–26, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- Manual of Indulgences, grants for the Te Deum (December 31) and Veni Creator (January 1).
- The prayers were written for this page.