From the moment she was conceived, our Lady was granted the divine grace of being preserved from the stain of original sin. Mary’s purity was necessary as she was to become the living Temple of the Son of God. Appearing to Saint Catherine Labouré in 1830, our Blessed Mother called upon all people to invoke her as “conceived without sin.” You are invited to join us in a prayerful, eight-day celebration--the December 8 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. First, take a moment to entrust your intentions to our Lady. They will be placed near Mary’s Shrine Altar and remembered throughout the Octave of Masses beginning December 8. Then, recite this prayer daily from December 8-15. You may also wish to request a Votive Light to burn as one more sign of your love for Mary — God’s pure and holy Queen through whom every grace and favor flows to us!

Our Blessed Mother was conceived without sin, a fact we celebrate annually on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8. Because the second Sunday of Advent is celebrated on December 8 this year, the feast of the Immaculate Conception is transferred to December 9. By God’s grace, Mary kept her heart immaculate – free of sin and full of love for God. Here at our Lady’s Shrine, we honor Mary’s holy innocence by celebrating the Immaculate Conception Octave of Masses beginning on Monday, December 9. Submit your petitions to our Lady’s Shrine today to have them remembered during the eight days of Masses, and request Votive Lights as a sign of your prayer. During each day of the octave, say this prayer to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

Mary was conceived without sin, a fact we celebrate annually on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Mary was the woman chosen by God to bring his Son into the world. God wanted Jesus to be untouched by sin, and Mary’s immaculate heart made this possible. Here at our Lady’s Shrine, we honor Mary’s holy innocence by celebrating the Immaculate Conception Novena beginning on Thursday, December 8. To learn more about Mary’s Immaculate Conception and its meaning for us, read Fr. Kevin’s letter.