There are several false beliefs surrounding the celebration of the Immaculate Conception (so to speak). Many people, including Catholics, believe that Christmas is a celebration of Mary’s conception of Jesus. The inaccuracy should be clear given that the feast falls only 17 days before Christmas. On March 25, precisely nine months before Christmas, we commemorate another feast: the Annunciation of the Lord. The conception of Christ happened at the Annunciation, when the Blessed Virgin Mary graciously accepted the honour conferred upon her by God and announced by the angel Gabriel.
HISTORY OF FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
On December 8 of each year, people gather to celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception. On December 8, nine months before the feast of the Nativity of Mary is observed, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, also known as Immaculate Conception Day, celebrates the Virgin Mary’s sinless life from the moment she was born.
This day is also known as Immaculate Conception Day. It is one of the Marian feasts that is considered to be of the utmost importance in the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church and is celebrated all over the world.
It is the patronal festival day of Argentina, Italy, Brazil, Nicaragua, South Korea, Paraguay, Spain, the United States of America, the Philippines, and Uruguay, as decreed by the Vatican. By order of the king, the Immaculate Conception is recognised as the patroness of Portugal’s day.
This day is observed by the Christian Roman Catholic Church as well as a few Protestant Christian faiths. Since 1953, each Pope has made it a tradition to travel to the Column of the Immaculate Conception in the Piazza di Spagna on December 8 of each year to say prayers of penance in recognition of the momentous occasion.
In the papal bull Commissi Nobis Divinitus, issued on December 6, 1708, Pope Clement XI made the holiday’s initial proclamation as a Holy Day of Obligation for the first time. In some nations, it is celebrated with a mass, parades, fireworks, processions, food, and cultural celebrations.
Other nations celebrate it with parades and fireworks. It is a day that is traditionally celebrated with one’s family, particularly in many devoutly Catholic countries.
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Orthodoxy of the Feast
On August 13, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church has been holding a feast in celebration of the holiday. On the other hand, those who adhere to the Eastern Orthodox Churches observe it on December 9 each year.
They reject the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and instead celebrate what they call the “Feast of the Conception by Saint Anne of the Most Holy Theotokos.” From the Eastern Roman Empire, the celebration had made its way to England, France, Germany, Southern Italy, and Rome.
The proper reading for the collect that is done throughout the feast is as follows. “O God, graciously hear the request of thy slaves who are united together on the Conception of the Virgin Mother of God, may at her intercession be saved by Thee from dangers which threaten us,” the prayer reads. “may at her intercession be delivered by Thee from dangers which afflict us.”
UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES ON THE MARIAN DOGMA
- There was no virgin birth in this case.
The Catholic Church teaches that Mary was created naturally but spared the effects of original sin because of God’s intervention. - Institutionalized in Antiquity
When it comes to global organisations, the Catholic Church is among the very first. - The Catholic Church claims it is necessary
The Roman Catholic Church insists on the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, arguing that without it, Jesus would have gotten His flesh from a woman subject to the same Satan he came to vanquish. - This woman is referenced in the “Quran.”
Mary is mentioned more times in the “Quran,” Islam’s sacred text, than she is in the “New Testament.” - The afterlife automatically welcomed her
According to Catholicism, Mary was lifted up into heaven both body and soul because she was conceived without sin and led a spotless life.
ENCOURAGING THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: THE REASON FOR THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
- It is a party to celebrate the family.
At the same time that we celebrate Mary, Christ’s mother, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception brings to mind feelings of warmth and safety. The actual feast is celebrated in honour of Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, the holy couple who were the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. - It honours the relationships that exist between parents and children, as well as the contributions that each makes to the life of the other. We look forward to the holidays because they give families the opportunity to spend time together and express gratitude for all that they have.
- It brings together those who follow the same religion.
The Christian community is brought closer together as a result of the activities that take place on Immaculate Conception Day. These activities include feasts, prayers, and parades. This presents a wonderful opportunity for you to grow in your faith and put your beliefs into practice. - Honoring Mary as a mother through celebration
Mary was a pillar of support for Christ throughout his ministry. Not only did she become his mother, but she also devoted her life to her son’s mission, braving persecution and battling for the salvation of others in order to carry it out. People continue to pray to her in the hope that she will intercede on their behalf and provide assistance in having their prayers answered.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception: How to Celebrate
- Attend mass
On the holiday commemorating the Immaculate Conception, you should start your day by going to church. In order to commemorate the event, a special service is held in virtually every Catholic church. - Send it out to the people in your social network.
Make sure that everyone knows that you are going to be celebrating today. On your various social media accounts, post pictures of you and the people you care about celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. - Don’t be afraid to let your religious identity be seen.
Take advantage of today by deepening your connection to the practises of your religious tradition. Attend the Mass and take part in the other activities that are planned for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception Day. Keep in mind that you should pray for everybody and everyone who is in need of assistance and ask the Holy Mother for her intercession.
Final Words
Every year on December 8th, Christians around the world celebrate the Virgin Mary with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. For Catholics, Mary’s conception without original sin is celebrated on December 8th, the feast of the Sacrament of the Immaculate Conception.
Despite the fact that this celebration takes place during Advent, a time dedicated to preparing for the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Immaculate Conception is a reference to Mary’s birth to St. Anne. “From the very first minute of her conception, the Blessed Virgin Mary was kept free from all stains of original sin, even by the singular grace and entitlement of Almighty God, and given the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of Mankind,” states the religious doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.
