Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary

The Immaculate Conception is one of the most important Marian feasts of the liturgical calendar and a holy day of obligation.

This solemnity recognizes Mary’s privilege of being conceived without the stain of original sin:

“No sin would touch her, so that she would be a fitting and worthy vessel of the Son of God. The Immaculate Conception does not refer to the virginal conception and the birth of Christ, but rather to Mary’s being conceived without inheriting Original Sin.” (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, 142-143)

In today’s Gospel, we hear and reflect on Mary’s famous words to the angel Gabriel: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 2:38)