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December 8, 2023
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Solemnity.
Mary participated in a most extraordinary and unique manner in the work of salvation.
Luke 1: 26 – 38
Today the Church celebrates the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Nine months later, September 8, the Church will celebrate the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary was approved in 1476 by Pope Sixtus IV and extended to the universal Church by Pope Clement XI in 1708. Pope Pius IX solemnly proclaimed the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854. He wrote: “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” (Ineffabilis Deus, 1854).
Why the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary? So that God could prepare a fitting mother for His Son. In this way, Mary participated in a most extraordinary and unique manner in the work of salvation.
