Catholic new year

In the Catholic Church, the new year is not celebrated on January 1st, but rather on the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord, which is observed on January 1st. This feast commemorates the circumcision of Jesus Christ eight days after his birth, as described in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2:21).

The Feast of the Circumcision is considered a solemnity, which is a high-ranking feast day in the Catholic liturgical calendar. It is a day of obligation, meaning that Catholics are required to attend Mass and refrain from work or other activities that would prevent them from doing so.

In some countries, particularly in Europe, the Feast of the Circumcision is also known as "St. Mary the Virgin's Day" or "Mary's Day", as it is believed to be the day when Mary, the mother of Jesus, was purified after giving birth to Jesus.

The Feast of the Circumcision is not widely celebrated in many parts of the world, and in some countries, the Catholic Church has replaced it with other feast days or celebrations. However, in some countries, such as Italy, Spain, and Portugal, the Feast of the Circumcision is still observed as a significant feast day.

In addition to the Feast of the Circumcision, the Catholic Church also celebrates the Octave of Christmas, which is a period of eight days that begins on Christmas Day and ends on January 1st. During this time, the Church celebrates the joy and wonder of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, and the octave is often marked by special Masses, devotions, and other celebrations.