Celebrate the Immaculate Conception: Dec 8

This year the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary is Dec. 8 and is a holy day of obligation. Here at St. Michael, you can celebrate with us at 8:30 AM Mass on Thursday, Dec 8.

WHAT IS THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION?
The Immaculate Conception refers to the doctrine that Mary, from the very moment of her conception, was never stained by original sin. The word immaculate literally means pure, or without blemish.

WHY ARE WE CELEBRATING?
If you listen carefully to the prayers the priest says during the Eucharistic liturgy, you might hear him say that God preserved Mary from original sin in order to “prepare a worthy Mother for your Son and signify the beginning of the Church, his beautiful Bride without spot or wrinkle.”

HOW DO WE CELEBRATE AT HOME?
Besides going to Mass, your family can make a Mary candle, eat something white, fill your home with white flowers, or pray a Marian prayer.

To learn more on explaining the Immaculte Conception to kids and celebrating the feast day, visit this link from OSV Kids.

For more information about the Immaculate Conception, click one of the links below.

• About the Immaculate Conception, a one-sheet from USCCB
• Reflection on the Immaculate Conception by Franciscan Media
• About Mary, a 5-min video from Catholic Sprouts