Each year on December 8th, we celebrate the feast day of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation, as we commemorate the Blessed Virgin Mary being conceived without the stain of original sin.
The Immaculate Conception of Mary
Mary, Mother of God, was truly “full of grace.” Her soul was pure from the moment of her conception, without sin and without the faults, passions, and emotions that relate back to original sin.
“In the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin.”
Pope Pius IX
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Register for the WorkshopHonoring the Immaculate Conception
There are many ways to honor Mary on her feast day of the Immaculate Conception.
Join Us at Mass
Since the Immaculate Conception of Mary is a Holy Day of Obligation, the best way to celebrate is to attend Mass. For those unable to attend Mass in person, our ministry at St. Clement will be live streaming Mass at 7:00 a.m., 12:10 p.m., and 7 p.m. ET for all who would like to celebrate with our community.
Pray the Hail Mary
The Hail Mary prayer celebrates the Virgin Mary and honors her Immaculate Conception. On this day (and any day!), we can pray the Hail Mary and other devotions to Mary to ask for grace and love from God, through Mary’s intercession.
To honor Mary on this feast day, you might also consider the following prayers and reflections:
- Pray one or more of these prayers for Mary’s intercession
- Pray and reflect upon the Rosary
- Use the Ven. Bruno Lanteri Prayer Booklet for your prayers
The Advent Season
Falling in Advent each year, the feast of the Immaculate Conception ties back to that same theme and joyous preparations of the Advent season. Just as Mary prepared the way for the Lord, our Savior, from the moment of her conception, so too can we thoughtfully and cheerfully make room for the Lord in our hearts — during Advent and beyond.
You are always welcome to join in our Advent celebrations and preparations at St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine. In this season of light and joy, there is no better gift than preparing for and keeping Jesus Christ in your heart.
How do you honor the Immaculate Conception of Mary? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Faith was not discussed during my childhood days at home. Gestures toward the faith were made – without any explanations to a confused child. I was baptized when I was seven years old. I grew up in the proud atmosphere of northeastern prosperity post World War II culture. Many others, countless numbers of good people held to the faith, but this was not the case in our home. As I matured I was drawn to the faith. Someone was praying for me; possibly my Godparents. The Holy Spirit seemed present when I entered a Catholic church. I asked for a Daily Missal for my sixteenth birthday, probably because I saw others who had one at Mass. I was infected with pride and understood that Holy Mary was not the main focus of Catholics. Her obedience was simply not understood; it was not respected. Only recently have I realized the meaning of “gracia plena” and have come to understand that I am not “full of grace”. I am almost 84 years old. And now I am finally asking to be “filled with grace”.
Mama Mary, Little flower, all Saints and Angels intercede for Valentine’s family.Blessus to settle in Bangalore in the year 2024.Bless Neha with Bank job govt job in Bangalore, Nikita to be placed in the best Company of Engineering with high package, bless Vellu Judy with good health good jobs in Bangalore, bless Neha Nikita Anusha with suitable loving holy understanding rich catholic healthy life partners who will keep Vellu Judy with them, Bless Neha Nikita to settle very close to each other, in one house itself.Bless our finances lives intentions prayers studies future health and teaching profession.Keep us United.