The Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Any feast day of Our Blessed Mother is special, but this feast day marks a special anniversary of Our lady under the title of the Immaculate Conception. Though the Church had pronounced and defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854, it was in 1858 that the Queen of Heaven appeared to St. Bernadette in the grotto outside of Lourdes, France, affirming to the world the truth of this doctrine. It has now been 150 years (and ten months) since Bernadette heard the words from Mary herself:

"I am the Immaculate Conception."

Two Prayers to the Immaculate Conception

O Virgin Immaculate, Mother of God and my Mother, from thy sublime height turn upon thine eyes of pity. Filled with confidence in thy goodness and knowing full well thy power, I beseech Thee to extend to me thine assistance in the journey of life, which is so full of dangers for my soul. And in order that I may never be the slave of the devil through sin, but may ever live with my heart humble and pure, I entrust myself wholly to thee. I consecrate my heart to thee forever, my only desire being to love thy Divine Son, Jesus. Mary, none of thy devout servants has ever perished; may I too be saved.

Amen.

O God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin didst make ready a fitting habitation for Thy Son, we beseech Thee that Thou Who didst keep her clean from all stain by the precious death of the same Thy Son, foreseen by Thee, mayest grant unto us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain unto Thee. Through the same Christ our Lord.

Amen.
(Roman Missal)

This Grotto at Mount St. Michaels,

Spokane, WA

Charlotte has a coloring page for us today! Run on over to Waltzing Matilda for her link!