07/12/2023
Solemnity of Immaculate Conception | December 8, 2023
On December 8, we honor Mary, our Mother. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic feast celebrating Mary's conception without sin. Even though this feast day occurs in the liturgical season of Advent, which prepares for the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Immaculate Conception refers to the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother, St. Anne.
The dogma of the Immaculate Conception asserts that, "from the first moment of her conception, the Blessed Virgin Mary was, by the singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of Mankind, kept free from all stain of original sin."
The observance of this feast began with a Papal encyclical by Pope Pius IX, when he formally defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, INEFFABILIS DEUS, on December 8, 1854. Several years later, in 1858, the Blessed Mother gave her name to St. Bernadette at Lourdes stating, "I am the Immaculate Conception."
Republic Act 10966 states that an act that declaring December 8 of every year a Special-Non Working Holiday in the entire country to commemorate the Solemnity of Immaculate Conception of Mary, The Principal Patroness of the Philippines.
December 8 is one of the three Holidays of Obligation as a Catholic, every catholic are expected to attend the Mass to fulfill their Obligations.
Prayer to Immaculate Conception:
O Most Holy Virgin, immaculate in body
and spirit, look kindly on me as I implore
your powerful intercession. O most Holy
Mother, receive my prayers as I present them
to God. O Mary, Mother of Jesus and our
Mother, you intercede for us with your Son.
O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us
who have recourse to thee.
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Pray for Us!
