Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"Today's feast emphasizes primarily the extraordinary fullness of grace granted to Mary in the first moment of her conception. We likewise celebrate her exalted prerogative of being the only person who through the merits of Jesus Christ was preserved from every stain of original sin.

"In its origin and purpose today's feast has no relation to Advent. It was placed on December 8 simply to complete the needed nine month period before September 8, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. However, the feast redily lends itself to Advent themes. During the time when we are awaiting the Savior, when we are striving to arouse in ourselves a deep consciousness of the need for redemption, when we lovingly look up to Mary as our chiefest model, then indeed does this feast seem like the golden dawn before the rising sun of Christmas. December 8, therefore, is a genuine Advent feast."

-From The Church's Year of Grace by Pius Parsch

Hail Mary,

Full of Grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women,

and blessed is the fruitof thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners now,

and at the hour of death.
Amen.