Monday December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. For some countries this is a national public holiday, while for others it is a Holy Day of Obligation. This day commemorates the great and unique privilege of Our Lady being free from original sin from the moment of Her conception in her mother, Saint Anne’s womb. This was defined as a Dogma of the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Pius IX in 1854.
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Our Lady of Immaculate ConceptionMary was preserved from original sin at the very moment of her conception with her soul having been created in the purest holiness. This statue gracing your home can lead you to focus more readily on submitting to God’s will, just as Mary did when she told the Archangel Gabriel “Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it unto me according to thy word. (Luke 1:38)" O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. |
Diary of Saint Maria Faustina KowalskaSt. Faustina Kowalska, “the great apostle of Divine Mercy” as stated by Pope John Paul II, during the 9 days novena to the Immaculate Conception that began on November 30, prayed 1000 Hail Marys daily, and was miraculously still able to carry out her tasks with perfection. She believed that nothing is too much when honouring the Blessed Virgin. We do well to imitate Mary in our best efforts to be humble, pure and to love God. |
The Virgin of VladimirLegend attributes this Byzantine Icon of Mary holding Jesus to Saint Luke. Reliable documents record it being sent by a Patriarch in Constantinople to the Grand Duke of Kiev, in 1131. It is greatly venerated in Russia, with a history of protecting the people. Typical to iconographic art, Mary’s scull is larger than life, indicating that she is full of the Holy Spirit. She is clothed with 3 stars, one of which would be located under the Child Jesus, which stand for Mary’s virginity, before, during and after childbirth. |
