Immaculate Conception: Holy Day of Obligation on December 9
Masses at 12 and 6:30 p.m. at OLL and 8:45 a.m. at Corpus Christi Catholic School
This year, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is transferred to Monday so as to not conflict with the Second Sunday of Advent. In prior years, when the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception was transferred to a Monday, the obligation to attend Mass was waived. The Vatican has since offered clarification to the U.S. bishops that even when the solemnity falls on a Monday, the obligation to attend Mass remains. Evening Masses on Sunday, December. 8, may be used to fulfill the holy day obligation provided that you also attend a separate Mass to fulfill your Sunday obligation. We look forward to seeing you when we celebrate this holy day together on Monday, December 9, this year!
Act of Consecration of the United States to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
The heavenly patroness of the United States of America is the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title “Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.” This means that the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (celebrated on Monday, December 9 this year) is the patronal feast day of our nation. Be sure to attend Mass for the holy day of obligation and to celebrate our Lady’s care for our country! Here’s a prayer to mark the occasion:
Most Holy Trinity: Our Father in heaven, who chose Mary as the fairest of your daughters; Holy Spirit, who chose Mary as your spouse; God the Son, who chose Mary as your mother; in union with Mary, we adore your majesty and acknowledge your supreme, eternal dominion and authority.
Most Holy Trinity, we put the United States of America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order that she may present the country to you. Through her, we wish to thank for you the great resources of this land and for the freedom that as been its heritage. Through the intercession of Mary, have mercy on the Catholic Church in America. Grant us peace. Have mercy on our president and all the officers of our government. Grant us a fruitful economy born of justice and charity. Have mercy on capital, industry, and labor. Protect the family life of the nation. Guard the precious gift of many religious vocations. Through the intercession of our mother, have mercy on the sick, the poor, the tempted, sinners—on all who are in need.
Mary, Immaculate Virgin, our mother, patroness of our land, we praise you, honor you, and give our country and ourselves to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pierced by the sword of sorrow prophesied by Simeon, save us from degeneration, disaster, and war. Protect us from all harm. O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, who bore the sufferings of your Son in the depths of your heart, be our advocate. Pray for us, that acting always according to your will and the will of your divine Son, we may live and die pleasing to God. Amen.