Mass at 8:30 a.m. on December 9
Solemnity
of the
Immaculate Conception
Monday, December 9th
Holy Mass at 8:30 am
The Immaculate Conception is the belief that the Virgin Mary was free from the stain of original sin from the moment of her conception. It is one of the four Marian dogmas of the Catholic Church. Debated by medieval theologians, it was not defined as a dogma until 1854, by Pope Pius IX in the papal bull Ineffabilis Deus. When the dogma was finally proclaimed, it was more the fruit of popular devotion than scholarly endeavors.
The Papal Bull
Pope Pius IX as depicted
in Harper’s Weekly, 1867
“We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful.”
Ineffabilis Deus, by Pope Pius IX, 1854. (Wikipedia)
Miraculous Medal
The Miraculous Medal
In France in 1830 Saint Catherine of Labouré (1806–1876) saw a vision of Mary standing on a globe while a voice commanded her to have a medal made in imitation of what she saw. The lettering on the border of the medal (now known as the Miraculous Medal) said “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee”, which was a confirmation of Mary herself that she was conceived without sin, confirming the Immaculate Conception. Her vision marked the beginning of a great 19th-century Marian revival.
(Wikipedia)
NOTE: The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is usually celebrated on December 8th, but since December 8th is a Sunday this year, we will celebrate this beautiful Marian feast on Monday, December 9th. Join us for Holy Mass at 8:30 a.m.