Here we are in Advent, in the month of December which is dedicated to the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception. And so, we are reminded that despite the busy-ness around us, we are called to keep vigil with the sacred. May this Advent, which is meant to be, in some ways, a kind of mini-Lent: a time of waiting and preparation (anticipating Christmas joy)… be our holiest yet.
Did you know that the Immaculate Conception is actually the Patroness of the United States? This declaration was made official by the United States bishops during the sixth provincial Council of Baltimore in 1846.
The Church taught of the Immaculate Conception for ages, but it was in 1854 that Pope Pius IX officially proclaimed that the Blessed Virgin Mary “in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin.”
This teaching refers to the conception of Mary in the womb of St. Anne, her mother. And so in December while we contemplate the pre-born and newborn Lord… we also contemplate the pre-born Blessed Mother, from the first moment of her Immaculate Conception, on December 8th, which is exactly nine months before her birthday on September 8th.
Redemption was applied to our Blessed Mother from conception, by the merits of Jesus Christ, her son — a truly awe-inspiring reality. Preserved from original sin, Mary has been called “our tainted nature’s solitary boast,” in the words of the great poet William Wordsworth.
Mary remained free of sin for her entire life. Honoring her purity is a calming antidote to the sometimes garish bustle of December, and a complementary devotion to our usual Advent activities culminating in the festive splendor of Christmas. We turn to Our Lady this Advent and ask that she will guide the ways we wait for, plan for, and celebrate the birth of her Son, Our Lord.
Here are some ways to honor the Immaculate Conception of Mary this December:
1) Bake a cake and frost it white for Mary’s purity
Bake a cake and frost it white for Mary’s purity (or purchase a cake with white icing) and share with your children, family or friends. Before cutting and sharing this cake, pray this as part of Grace before meals:
“O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, didst prepare a worthy dwelling place for thy Son, we beseech thee that, as by the foreseen death of this, thy Son, thou didst preserve her from all stain, so too thou wouldst permit us, purified through her intercession, to come unto thee. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son, who livest and reignest with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.”
2)Mary is Patroness of the United States
Since Mary is Patroness of the United States, why not place a small American flag near a statue of Our Lady this month, as a reminder to regularly ask Our Lady to intercede for the country.
3) Give Miraculous Medals out as Christmas gifts
Give Miraculous Medals out as Christmas gifts to family, friends and acquaintances. These medals may be obtained inexpensively, but their protection, beauty and graces are unmatched. Upon the Miraculous Medal is inscribed, “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” The Miraculous Medal is just that…miraculous… and is even famous for creating conversions, as St. Maximilian Kolbe taught. Best of all, giving this medal as a stocking stuffer or gift this Christmas is a wonderful way to honor Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception this December.
4) Pray the Chaplet of the Immaculate Conception
Pray the Chaplet of the Immaculate Conception, which was created by St. John Berchmans, as a way to obtain greater purity, so it is a wonderful way to purify Advent, ensuring we keep Christ in Christmas. Begin by making the Sign of the Cross.
During each of 4 sets of prayers, you pray the following:
“Blessed be the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
Then… Say 1 Our Father,
4 Hail Marys
and one Glory be, each.
Blessed Advent! Immaculate Conception, pray for us!
This article was originally published on Nov 30, 2024 on www.amazingcatechists.com.
