Feast of the Immaculate Conception
This feast day is observed by the Catholic church to commemorate the conception of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
This feast day is observed by the Catholic church to commemorate the conception of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Names: Feast of the Immaculate Conception, The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
This feast day is observed by the Catholic church to commemorate the conception of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Origins
In Catholic dogma, anyone born on Earth was born with sin, called “original sin.” Mary, the mother of Jesus, was not born with original sin. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception (not to be confused with the Feast of the Annunciation, which celebrates Jesus’ conception) celebrates the conception of Mary.
Celebrations of this feast day began in the seventh century in Palestine and traveled throughout the world. By the ninth century, it was celebrated in Naples, and it arrived in France in the twelfth century. Prior to the twelfth century, the idea of Mary’s lack of original sin was controversial in some Catholic circles. However, by the time the idea was formally adopted at the Council of Basel in 1439, Catholic celebration of this feast day was nearly universal.
Who observes this holiday
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a holy day of obligation for people of the Catholic faith. This holiday is observed by attending mass on December 8th. In addition, this feast day is especially important in churches named for the Virgin Mary.
Traditions
During this feast, parishes may be festooned in flowers. Mass attendees may offer up their own floral offerings to statues of the Virgin Mary. In churches where this feast day is especially important, the parish may offer multiple vigil masses in the days leading up to the feast.
It is also widely celebrated in the Philippines. In 1942, Pope Pius XII declared Mary, under the name Immaculate Conception, the patron saint of the Philippines. The feast day is so popular in the Philippines that December 8th was declared as a special, non-working holiday.
Catholics & Cultures, a website run by College of the Holy Cross, reports that Malolos Cathedral in the Philippines prepares for months for this feast day. Their celebration features a procession with a brass band that spills from the Cathedral into a plaza that has been decorated by parishioners.
What to say
There is no traditional greeting for this feast day. For those who celebrate this day, they may remind themselves to pray for everyone who needs help and ask for intercession from the Holy Mother.