Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The solemnity on Wednesday 8 December refers to Mary’s conception and the belief that she was conceived free from original sin. Mary was given this special grace because she is the Ark of the New Covenant. In the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant was God’s dwelling place. The New Testament fulfills the old. When Jesus came into the world to be with us, He came through Mary, and once again, God prepared a pure and perfect dwelling for himself. Let us place in the loving protection of Mary in this time of preparation for Christ’s birth, all the many worries and preoccupations that weigh upon us.

Readings

Gen3:9-15, 20

‘The man named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all living.’ (20)

Eph 1:3-6, 11-12

‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing…’ (3)

Luke 1:26-38

‘The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.”

The painting on the main slider is of St Anne with Mary greeting baby Jesus by Sofonisba Anguissola (public domain.)

Prayer to Mary

This is the oldest recorded prayer outside of the texts from the Gospels:

We fly to Thy protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.

For more information on the oldest Marian prayer dating back to the year 250 go HERE

Painting of Jesus' grandmother Anne, holding her baby Mary.