Here is a simple prayer I found from Loyola Press A Jesuit Ministry that I prayed this morning and would like to share.
God, thank you for a new year.
May everyone in our family be willing to begin anew with a clean slate.
We know that you are always ready to forgive us.
Help us to be willing to forgive ourselves and to forgive one another.
As we begin a new year, remind us of our truest values and our deepest desires.
Help us to live in the goodness that comes from doing what you want us to do.
Help us to put aside anxiety about the future and the past, so that we might live in peace with you now, one day at a time. Amen.
Historical background on the New Year's celebration:
I learned that celebrating the New Year was originally a pagan holiday to honor the god Janus. "Janus was the Pagan Roman god of beginnings and endings and of gates and doors. He was depicted having two faces with one face looking to what is behind and with one face looking toward what lies ahead. The reasoning behind the symbolism of the two faces is that both gates and doors have two sides and to end something to start a new beginning one must pass through being on one side or the other not remaining in the middle."
The origin of Janus, a pagan god is attributed to an actual person in history. He was the first king of Latium in ancient Rome, before Rome became a city. His kingship was known for being honest and abundance for his people during a time of peace. It was known as the "Golden Age" and his people requested blessings to Janus at the start of each day, month and year. Janus was also made a martyr and became known as St. Januarius with his feast day on September 19th.
This practice was replaced many years ago by the church. They instituted the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God which places honor on her son Jesus. It is meant to commemorate Mary's role in the mystery of salvation.
Resources:
Blessings,
Noreen
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