Immaculate Conception
Feast day: December 8
Solemnity of Our Lady conceived without original sin — December 8.
The Immaculate Conception proclaims that Mary, from the first instant of her existence, was preserved immune from all stain of original sin.
The dogma was solemnly defined by Pius IX on December 8, 1854, in the bull Ineffabilis Deus.
Tradition names Saints Joachim and Anne as the Virgin's parents, venerated on July 26.
Devotion to the Immaculate Conception dates to the Middle Ages and spread through confraternities, shrines, and religious orders.
In the United States, the solemnity of December 8 is a holy day of obligation; Mary under this title is patroness of the nation.
Her liturgical feast is December 8. The Church invokes her as the all-pure Mother and model of faith and obedience.
Dedicated prayer
To the Mother of God conceived without sin, we ask purity of heart and intercession with Christ.
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