December 8th, Reflection On Mary, The Immaculate Conception

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The Woman Even God Thought About In Eternity Before Creation.

Proverbs Chapter 8: 22-35
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[22] The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his ways, before he made any thing from the beginning. [23] I was set up from eternity, and of old before the earth was made. [24] The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived. neither had the fountains of waters as yet sprung out: [25] The mountains with their huge bulk had not as yet been established: before the hills I was brought forth:

[26] He had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, nor the poles of the world. [27] When he prepared the heavens, I was present: when with a certain law and compass he enclosed the depths: [28] When he established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters: [29] When he compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a law to the waters that they should not pass their limits: when be balanced the foundations of the earth; [30] I was with him forming all things: and was delighted every day, playing before him at all times;

[31] Playing in the world: and my delights were to be with the children of men. [32] Now therefore, ye children, hear me: Blessed are they that keep my ways. [33] Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not. [34] Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates, and waiteth at the posts of my doors. [35] He that shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord:
 
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Mary was born to be the mother of the Savior of the world, the spiritual mother of all men, and the holiest of God’s creatures. Because of her Son’s infinite merits, she was conceived and born immaculate and full of grace. Through her, Queen of heaven and of earth, all grace is given to men. Through her, by the will of the Trinity, the unbelieving receive the gift of faith; the afflicted are tendered the works of mercy; and the members of Christ grow in likeness of their Head. In Mary all human nature is exalted. We rejoice in her birthday, as the Church has done from the earliest times. This is one of the three birthdays in the Church Calendar — the Birth of Jesus (December 25), the Birth of John the Baptist (June 24) and the Birthday of Mary. All three were born without original sin, although Mary and Jesus were conceived without sin, and St. John was cleansed of original sin while in the womb at the Visitation of Mary.

Birth of Mary
On Our Lady’s birthday the Church celebrates the first dawning of redemption with the appearance in the world of the Savior’s mother, Mary. The Blessed Virgin occupies a unique place in the history of salvation, and she has the highest mission ever commended to any creature. We rejoice that the Mother of God is our Mother, too. Let us often call upon the Blessed Virgin as “Cause of our joy”, one of the most beautiful titles in her litany.

Since September 8 marks the end of summer and beginning of fall, this day has many thanksgiving celebrations and customs attached to it. In the Old Roman Ritual there is a blessing of the summer harvest and fall planting seeds for this day.

The winegrowers in France called this feast “Our Lady of the Grape Harvest”. The best grapes are brought to the local church to be blessed and then some bunches are attached to hands of the statue of Mary. A festive meal which includes the new grapes is part of this day.

In the Alps section of Austria this day is “Drive-Down Day” during which the cattle and sheep are led from their summer pastures in the slopes and brought to their winter quarters in the valleys. This was usually a large caravan, with all the finery, decorations, and festivity. In some parts of Austria, milk from this day and all the leftover food are given to the poor in honor of Our Lady’s Nativity.
 
Nelka said:
Did you celebrate today?

If so, how?
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My understanding; though I stand to be corrected, is that The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics in the United States.

Wish it were the same for Catholics in Canada. In the past Catholics in Canada once followed the identical feasts days and memorials as Catholics in the United States except for a few distinct American and Canadian Saints and Martyrs.

Sadly I miss that :sad_yes:

I went to Mass this morning and offered my prayers on behalf of the Blessed Mother Mary.
 
centurionguard said:
My understanding; though I stand to be corrected, is that The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics in the United States…
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Mary, under the title of The Immaculate Conception, is the patroness of the United States. That gives this day extra prominence here.
 
Joe_Kelley said:
Mary, under the title of The Immaculate Conception, is the patroness of the United States. That gives this day extra prominence here.
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Indeed! The Immaculate Conception always deserves prominence
The Patron Saint of Canada is Saint Joseph. However its (“not”) celebrated as a Holy Day of Obligation in Canada.

Its beyond me in trying to understand the motives of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops as to why they removed most the Holy Feast Days and Martyrs and Holy Days of Obligation. Perhaps Canada has five Holy Days of Obligation outside every Solemnity on Sunday which is a Holy Day of Obligation itself in its own right being the Holy Sabbath.
 
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