"I am the Immaculate Conception"Lourdes, France
Tomorrow is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation. It is one of the four dogmas in Roman Catholic Mariology, the others being her perpetual virginity, her status as the Mother of God, and her Assumption into Heaven.
We believe that Mary, upon her conception, was preserved immaculate from original sin. This is commonly confused with the incarnation of our savior Jesus Christ. His conception, however, is celebrated on March 25 (exactly nine months before Christmas day) as the Annunciation to Mary. This is when the angel Gabriel visited her to tell her that she would become the mother of the Son of God.
We are Mary’s children on earth. She is our mother in Heaven. She is a perfect example of motherhood based on love and mercy, and is standing by waiting to hear us ask for her help. Especially in these times, we need as much of that as we can get! Today of all days, let’s honor and remember her. Do something good in her name. Follow her example of love and mercy with your own children, as she does with us. Then let it grow to include everyone we meet today and all of our tomorrows.
There is a novena that can be said for the nine days prior, during, or after the feast day. You can find the instructions and prayers here:
http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/novena/immaculate.htm
You don’t need to wait for this time of year though. Praying the rosary any time is also a fabulous way to talk to Mary:
http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/rosary/how_to.htm
In memory of my grandmother, Immaculata Fasulo, born 12/8/1900.
We believe that Mary, upon her conception, was preserved immaculate from original sin. This is commonly confused with the incarnation of our savior Jesus Christ. His conception, however, is celebrated on March 25 (exactly nine months before Christmas day) as the Annunciation to Mary. This is when the angel Gabriel visited her to tell her that she would become the mother of the Son of God.
We are Mary’s children on earth. She is our mother in Heaven. She is a perfect example of motherhood based on love and mercy, and is standing by waiting to hear us ask for her help. Especially in these times, we need as much of that as we can get! Today of all days, let’s honor and remember her. Do something good in her name. Follow her example of love and mercy with your own children, as she does with us. Then let it grow to include everyone we meet today and all of our tomorrows.
There is a novena that can be said for the nine days prior, during, or after the feast day. You can find the instructions and prayers here:
http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/novena/immaculate.htm
You don’t need to wait for this time of year though. Praying the rosary any time is also a fabulous way to talk to Mary:
http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/rosary/how_to.htm
In memory of my grandmother, Immaculata Fasulo, born 12/8/1900.
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