Many articles have come out about good fortune and what superstitious practices can be done. Some of the more popular ones are:

• Serving round fruits which symbolizes coins
• Avoiding chicken because it symbolizes scarcity
• Make noise to drive away the evil spirits
• Wearing dresses that are red and with polka dots because it symbolizes money and prosperity
• Open the windows so that good fortune comes in
• Turning all the lights on to signify a brighter future

The list goes on and on. When asked why do we do all these, the typical answer: “It won’t hurt.” But deep down in our hearts it is saying that if God doesn’t give the prosperity, maybe the fruits will, maybe the bright lights will, maybe the noise will and maybe the superstitious practices will. This is against the first commandment – having other gods.

The Catholic Church, on the other hand, welcomes the new year with the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. Three things about a mother that we can do to welcome the new year:

1. First, reflection. In the Gospel, it is said, that Mary kept all these things in her heart. In other words, reflection. It is very important to reflect the significant events in 2025. The joys and the pains, the victories and the defeats, the right decisions and the wrong decisions, good habits that we learned and bad habits that we have to unlearn, any unfinished business we are bringing in to 2026? We also remember the hellos and goodbyes of life. 
2. Second, prayer. We all know this, the prayer warrior in any family is the mother. If there was anything that Mary held on as a source of strength it was prayer. Say a prayer of gratitude for 2025; say a prayer for guidance for the decisions to be made; say a prayer for forgiveness for the people that have hurt us and betrayed us; say a prayer of humility that we may ask for forgiveness to the people that we have hurt; also a prayer of gratitude for the significant people in our lives and all the blessing of the Lord; prayer of strength to face the storms of life. We hold on to the power of prayer.
3. Third, hope. There two reasons for hope. First, there is always something to be hopeful about. I came across a very beautiful post on social media. In context it says, when you arrive from abroad, you will see what not right in the Philippines. Instead of criticizing, work for a better Philippines. As the saying goes, “It is better to light just one candle than to curse the dark.” Second reason for hope and the most important one: God. He has a plan in all of these. The Christmas story was the yes of Joseph and Mary even when things were difficult. They knew God can be trusted and has a plan. 

We thank God for the year 2025 and all the lessons learned. We too, remember the people whom we said goodbye to. For 2026, less superstitious practices and more prayer, reflections and reasons to be hopeful.