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FEAST OF THE DAY

The feast of the Immaculate Conception has a long history in the
Catholic Church. It was first celebrated in the Eastern Church, and
was widespread there by the seventh century. Over the next century
it spread to the West and gained wide popularity. In the eleventh
century, the feast changed from being the Conception of Mary to the
Immaculate Conception. The feast became a feast of the universal
Church in 1854 by the decree of Pope Pius IX.

This feast celebrates the fact that Mary was conceived without sin,
and from the first moment of her life Mary was a pure, spotless
vessel created as a special tool of God. Unlike many theological
dogmas, this fact was developed more by the Faithful and their
devotion to the Blessed Mother than by theologians.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Mary gave to the wold the Life that renews all things and she was
enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role. It is no wonder,
then, that the usage prevailed among the holy Fathers whereby they
called the mother of God entirely holy and free from all stain of sin,
fashioned by the Holy Spirit into a kind of new substance and new
creature. Adorned from the first instant of her conception with the
splendors of an entirely unique holiness, the Virgin of Nazareth is, on
God's command, greeted by an angel messenger as "full of grace".
To the heavenly messenger she replies: "Behold the handmaid of the
Lord, be it done to me according to thy word." - Constitution on the
Church, (56)

TODAY IN HISTORY

1854 Pope Pius IX proclaims Immaculate Conception in his apostolic
letter, "Ineffabilis Deus."
1869 20th Roman Catholic ecumenical council, Vatican I, opens in
Rome
1941 US enters WW II

TODAY'S TIDBIT

Many people confuse today's feast as the celebration of Jesus'
conception. This is celebrated on the feast of the Annunciation on
March 25, nine months before Christmas. Today's feast celebrates
Mary's conception by Joachim and Anne. Her birthday is nine
months from now on September 8.

INTENTION FOR THE DAY

Please pray for all expectant mothers.