Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception: Upon her conception, Mary was without original sin
Catholics on Dec. 8 will observe the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, which is a day to celebrate that the Virgin Mary was free of original sin from the moment of her conception and her sinless lifespan.
It is the belief that Mary, whose conception was brought about the normal way by her parents Ann and Joachim, but upon her conception, Mary was without original sin or its stain.
It is a Holy day of Obligation declared on Dec. 6, 1708.
In May 1846, the bishops of the United States proclaimed Mary, under the title of her Immaculate Conception, the principal patroness of the U.S. Seton Hall University’s Immaculate Conception Seminary School also declared her its saint.
Jersey Catholic sat down with Father John Gordon, Secretary for Evangelization for the Archdiocese of Newark, to discuss the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
JC: Why, as Catholics, do we need the Immaculate Conception?
Father Gordon: Mary’s womb is home to God. Because of the Grace of God, Mary “full of grace,” free from sin was prepared to become the mother of Jesus when the angel came to Mary.
The angel Gabriel said to her: “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
JC: What does solemnity mean?
Father Gordon: Solemnity means that the Mass of Immaculate Conception will be the same as a Sunday Mass.
JC: Was it necessary for God to make Mary immaculate at her conception so that she could be Jesus’ mother?
Father Gordon: Nothing about God is necessary. He doesn’t have to do anything He gave us the gift of Mary which bore us Jesus in our likeness, with the exception of sin.
JC: How can Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception?
Father Gordon: Get to Mass. Churches will offer day and evening Masses for those who work. It is also a tradition in many places to set up their nativity on this day.
