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 Immaculate
Conception of Mary
The
Catholic church commemorates the Feast of Immaculate Conception
of Mary on December 8. This is a dogma that proclaims that the soul
of the Blessed Virgin Mary who was the tabernacle created by God
Himself for the purpose of the incarnation, was never subject to
original sin, but completely preserved from the original taint.
The Blessed Virgin Mary was created immaculate by God as the new
Eve, equal to the first Eve that was created immaculate by God.
The
Feast of Immaculate Conception of Mary is a solemn dogma proclaimed
by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854 which states that: "The
most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception,
by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue
of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, preserved
immune from all stain of original sin."
As Our Lady Immaculately Conceived is the patroness of the United
States of America, this is a holyday of obligation in the United
States- that is, all Catholics are obligated to attend Mass on this
day. As this feast occurs early in Advent, it is a perfect time
to consider Mary and her important role in the celebration of Christmas.
Though
Mary's Immaculate Conception is her unique privilege, it is a sign
that, even before his birth, Christ's saving work affects generations
that preceded him. The grace of Christ present when she was conceived
is an affirmation that Christ's grace is present in past generations,
as well as generations to come.
For
more information on the Immaculate Conception, kindly click on the
following links:
•
Ubi Primum (On The Immaculate Conception)
• Readings
and Hymns for the Immaculate Conception
•
December Devotion: The Immaculate
Conception
• Litany of
the Immaculate Conception
•
Table Blessing
for the Feasts of the Mother of God
•
Novena to the Immaculate
Conception
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“Jesus’
Baptism”