Many Christian communities around the world annually observe the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. This day is a holy day of obligation in which many Christians, particularly of the Catholic faith, attend special church services for this occasion.

It is a day that celebrates the belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, was preserved from original sin all of her life.

For Roman Catholics, it is observed as a day of obligation with required church attendance.

The Immaculate Conception is a day whose meaning is often confused. By the sound of it, one would think we would celebrate the day Jesus was conceived. On the contrary, it is the day that the Blessed Mother Mary was conceived.

Mary's mother was St. Anne and her father was St. Joachim. While they are not mentioned in the bible, their names appear in some very early Christian texts. Anne and Joachim had been a childless couple until an angel appeared telling Anne that she would give birth to a child that the world would honor. Anne became a saint as she offered her child to God's service.

This day has been celebrated since at least the eighth century, but the idea that the word immaculate means that Mary was born without original sin divided many theological scholars over the centuries. It wasn't until 1854 that the argument was decided when Pope Pius IX proclaimed this belief to be an essential dogma of the Roman Catholic Church.

On December 8th, many countries, including Argentina, Austria, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain, celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with a public holiday.

December 7th in Colombia is “The Night of the Little Candles,” a tradition celebrated on the eve of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. That night the families get together to trace with candles the path along which the Virgin will pass. In addition, a special meal is prepared and the Rosary and Novena are prayed.

On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Panama, Mother's Day is also celebrated as a public holiday.

Guam also observes a public holiday to venerate a statue of Mary on December 8th.

The Portuguese remember Mary as Our Patron Saint. Most of the day is spent with family in gatherings. Often, people also visit parishes that hold local vigils for rosaries as a way to show devotion for “Our Lady.”

Festa dell’ Immacolata is a public holiday in Italy which celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is a day when Italians attend a church mass to honor Mary, whom they believe is immaculate, or “free from sin.” One of the highlights is a celebration led by the Catholic Pope in Rome, who kneels in prayer and lays a floral wreath on the statue of the Madonna at the Piazza Mignanelli. In some places there is street entertainment by jugglers and street clowns.

In India, Catholics celebrate the Immaculate Conception with a weeklong affair that includes fellowship, celebration of masses, singing of hymns and Christmas carols, firework displays, and praying the rosary in honor of the Virgin Mother.

NOTE: These are only a fraction of the many ways our Blessed Mother is celebrated in December. We will have more opportunities to share Marian celebrations and our cultures representing our parish community throughout the upcoming year.