Saturday, December 8^th is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Even though it falls on a Saturday this year, as the patronal feast of the United States, it retains its obligatory status.

The mystery celebrated this day is widely confused with the virginal conception of Jesus. The Immaculate Conception refers to the belief that Mary was conceived without sin. This was first expressed in the earliest Christian centuries and proclaimed a dogma in 1854 by Pope Pius IX. Many parishes established about that time adopted this title of Mary. Today’s solemnity falls nine months to the day before the feast of Mary’s birth, September 8^th.

As a community of believers, we will gather for this important celebration on Saturday, December 8 at 9:00 a.m.