Solemnity December 8Solemnity · Patronal Feast of the USA

The Immaculate Conception

Mary was preserved from original sin from the first moment of her life. Under this title she is the patroness of the United States.

Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, The Immaculate Conception of Los Venerables, c. 1678 · Museo del Prado, Madrid (public domain)

Who was The Immaculate Conception?

The Church teaches that, by a singular grace of God and in view of the merits of Jesus, Mary was free from original sin from the moment she was conceived in the womb of her mother, Saint Anne. Pope Pius IX defined this dogma on December 8, 1854. Four years later at Lourdes, the Virgin told Saint Bernadette: "I am the Immaculate Conception."

Feast day and traditions

In 1846 the US bishops chose Mary under this title as patroness of the United States, and the Pope approved in 1847. It is always a holy day of obligation in the US, and when it falls on a Sunday it moves to Monday, December 9. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., is the largest Catholic church in North America. The Miraculous Medal's prayer, "O Mary, conceived without sin", celebrates this mystery.

Prayer

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen.

Novena

To pray a novena that ends on the eve of the feast, begin on November 29 and finish on December 7.

Mass readings

Read the Mass readings for December 8 from the US bishops (USCCB).

Open readings →

Free · By email

We'll remind you of the feast

Get an email before December 8 with the saint's story, prayer and a greeting ready to send.

Celebrate as a family

Go to Mass together, bring flowers to Mary's statue and decorate in white and blue.

Wish someone a happy feast day

Send a greeting with this saint's story and prayer.