Saint Patrick's Cathedral Norwich, CT RCIA Class Lessons

Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception

December 8 is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is a Holy Day of Obligation.

What is the Church celebrating through this feast of the Immaculate Conception? Mary, the Mother of God -- is the only human being to be conceived without original sin. The Church gives Mary the Title -- Immaculate Conception.

This truth was declared a Doctrine of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1854. This means that this truth is infallible - never to be changed and a Catholic must believe in this truth.

This Doctrine concerns Mary, herself, not the Conception of Jesus. The Doctrine states that the moment that Mary was conceived in Her Mother Anne's womb, Mary was free from original sin. Reference: Dictionary page 187. Mary was redeemed from the first moment of her conception. Reference: CCC page 490.

Lourdes, France -- 1858 -- Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous on March 25^th and said, "I am the Immaculate Conception."

The Angel Gabriel addressed Mary, Hail Mary, Full of Grace.

This is the First Holy Day in the New Church year.

There are six Holy Days and 52 Sundays.