Popular devotion December 18Marian devotion

Our Lady of Expectation

Honors Mary in the last days before the birth of Jesus, waiting with joyful hope.

Piero della Francesca, Madonna del Parto, c. 1460 · Museo della Madonna del Parto, Monterchi (public domain)

Who was Our Lady of Expectation?

This feast began in Spain at the Tenth Council of Toledo in 656, to celebrate the Annunciation close to Christmas rather than during Lent. It is also called Our Lady of the O, after the O Antiphons sung in these days. It is not on the US calendar today, but it is kept in Spain, by some religious orders and in the traditional Latin Mass.

Feast day and traditions

It is a beautiful day for expectant mothers and couples hoping for a child to ask Mary's prayers.

Prayer

Our Lady of Expectation, watch over mothers waiting for their babies, and bring them a safe and happy birth. Amen.

Novena

To pray a novena that ends on the eve of the feast, begin on December 9 and finish on December 17.

Mass readings

Read the Mass readings for December 18 from the US bishops (USCCB).

Open readings →

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We'll remind you of the feast

Get an email before December 18 with the saint's story, prayer and a greeting ready to send.

Celebrate as a family

Pray together for all mothers expecting a baby this Christmas.

Wish someone a happy feast day

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