Colin Cooney ’28
This is the time of year when family members, friends, celebrities, and advertisers are buzzing about New Year’s resolutions. Every January 1st, millions of people across the globe pledge to eat healthier, read more, learn a new skill, or be nicer. As we turned the page to a new calendar year a few weeks ago, I became curious about this time-honored practice. When and where did it originate, and why has this tradition endured throughout the ages across so many different cultures? Additionally, I wondered what, if any, resolutions members of our Chaminade community are making for 2025. Here is what I learned.
The Babylonians of Ancient Mesopotamia were the first to start the practice of making New Year’s resolutions over 4,000 years ago. It is incredible to discover that this seemingly modern New Year’s ritual has decidedly ancient roots. The Babylonians held a 12-day festival known as Akitu during the month of March or April, celebrating the return of spring. The people paraded statues of the gods throughout their city-states and made promises to repay debts or return stolen objects in an effort to please the gods. These rituals were carried out in hopes that the gods would bestow good fortune on them during the new year.
The Ancient Romans continued their version of this tradition by pledging resolutions to the two-faced god Janus (the origin of the name “January”). Like the Babylonians, the Romans’ New Year celebrations originally corresponded with the commencement of spring on the vernal equinox. However, gradual changes to the solar calendar later established January 1st as the first day of the Roman new year. The Romans believed that Janus—the deity of change and beginnings—looked both backward to the past and forward toward the future. Therefore, they made resolutions in hopes of winning Janus’ favor, exchanged gifts of figs and honey, and even worked for part of the holiday, as laziness was deemed a bad omen for the year to come.
The Ancient Chinese began celebrating the New Year during the Shang dynasty in 2000 BC. Since it is based on the lunar calendar, the Chinese New Year typically falls at the end of January or the beginning of February on the second new moon after the winter solstice. Festivities lasted for 15 days and included activities such as repaying debts, cleaning homes, and gathering with family for a feast.
For the earliest Christians, the first day of January marked a day of reflection—a time to ponder one’s sins, make amends, and promise to be more virtuous in the new year. While New Year’s resolutions had definitively spiritual or religious origins, today this practice is viewed through a primarily secular lens. The ball drops in Times Square, and resolutions commonly center around things like new gym memberships, diet fads, travel guidebooks, or organizational tools.
After asking a few members of our Chaminade community, I learned that, like myself, most Flyers do not set specific New Year’s resolutions. In fact, Mr. Matthew Kaplan ‘97 remarked, “I don’t think I can be helpful for this article because I have never made, or seriously considered, a resolution in my life!”
Brother Tom Cleary ’81 offered, “This year, as with most years, I did not make any New Year’s resolutions. I guess I prefer to think that each day during the 365 days of the year is the right day to improve something in your life, improve something for someone else, or make a bigger difference where you are. I have a quote on my desk that says, ‘Champions do extra,’ and that can be done every day.”
Similarly, Father Peter Heiskell ‘86 has never made a practice of setting New Year’s resolutions. Rather than using the start of a new calendar year as an impetus for change, he prefers to focus on the seasons of Advent and Lent to set his spiritual and faith intentions. He shared that he tries to strengthen his daily prayer practices and carry those throughout the year beyond those liturgical seasons. Father Peter explained that he also participates in Catholic podcasts such as “Bible in a Year,” “Catechism in a Year,” and “Rosary in a Year.” Each of these began on January 1, and while he hasn’t always listened to one per day, he has found them helpful tools for daily growth in his life of faith.
Mr. Richard Demarco ’12 told me that he didn’t set one specific New Year’s resolution but that he does intend to bring more good things into focus and eliminate some of the bad things in 2025. He is striving to “live more in the present, cook more, and get back to writing.” He’s also working on “less overthinking and less screen time.”
Mr. William Maddock explained that he, too, doesn’t set New Year’s resolutions but instead sets goals during Advent, such as keeping an evening journal. He said that when he sets a resolution for himself, he typically won’t keep it, but when he makes it for the Lord, he is more successful. This helps him to be more aware of the power of God in his life.
John Balsalmo ’26 told me, “This year, I want to be consistent with praying every night before bed to thank God for the blessings in my life.”
As Catholics, we know that January 1st also marks the Feast Day of the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This year, I was struck by my pastor’s homily in which he described New Year’s as the perfect day to honor our Blessed Mother. He said that Mary is the best example of how an ordinary, secular life can also be holy and devoted to God. He encouraged us to incorporate our devotion to Mary, God, and our faith into our resolutions for 2025. He also reminded us that we are called to serve one another in our daily lives, and by doing so, we will more closely follow Mary’s example and grow closer to God throughout the year.
Whether or not we have set a specific resolution, as Catholics and Flyers, we can and should strive to be more faithful, forgiving, disciplined, and helpful each day of 2025. Together, we can make this an amazing year!
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