THURSDAY DECEMBER 8: A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION

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MASS – IN CHURCH – 12:15 – THURSDAY

Thursday is the annual Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the holy, solemn day celebrated among Roman Catholics to commemorate the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. It is one of the Holy Days of Obligation, meaning observing Catholics should attend Mass and avoid any nonessential work.

While most people know the phrase “immaculate conception,” there is at least one common misconception about the doctrine. The Immaculate Conception does not refer to the birth of Jesus, but rather the birth of Mary to her mother, Saint Anne.

Unlike Christ, who according to Scripture is said to be born of virgin birth, Mary was conceived in a normal, biological way. To become the mother of God’s son, Mary was deemed “full of grace” at the moment of her conception, meaning she was free of original sin.