Month of the Immaculate Conception

December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary was filled with grace by God from the very moment of her conception in St. Anne’s womb. By doing so, He preserved the Virgin from all stain of original sin so that she became a pure vessel for Christ to enter the world. This is what makes Mary’s conception immaculate and the privilege of the Immaculate Conception is the source and basis for Mary's all-holiness as Mother of God. In 1854, the Immaculate Conception of Mary was officially defined by Pope Pius IX as one of the four Marian dogma of the church. "The Most Holy Virgin Mary was, in the very first moment of her conception, by a unique gift of grace and privilege of Almighty God and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ the Redeemer of mankind, preserved free from all stain of original sin." Ieffabilis Deus, Apostolic Constitution of Pope Pius IX. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is on December 8th.

Advent 2024

This year Advent begins on Sunday, December 1st. The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to the birth of Our Lord and His second coming at the end of time.

St. Andrew Christmas Novena is traditionally prayed fifteen times daily, beginning on the feast of St. Andrew (November 30) and concluding on Christmas Eve,

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen