Immaculate Conception
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrates the great favor Jesus bestowed on His mother by preserving her from sin from the moment of her conception. Like all humans, Mary needed to be saved from sin, but in her case, the grace from Jesus’ sacrifice was applied to her even before His Incarnation. She was given this great gift because she was to carry the Son of God in her womb. As God’s presence rested in the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament, so God rested in Mary’s womb, the Ark of the New Covenant.
Mary, under the title of her Immaculate Conception, is the patroness of the United States of America.
Celebrating the Immaculate Conception
The Immaculate Conception is a holy day of obligation. Just like on Sunday, we are obliged to participate at Mass and “abstain from those works and affairs which hinder the worship to be rendered to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s day, or the suitable relaxation of mind and body.” Only work that is necessary or charitable is permitted. Those who are able to take the day off must do so.
We rest from work on Sundays and holy days of obligation to dedicate that time to God. We should spend these days in prayers, devotions, and works of charity.
Before the morning high Mass, there will be a procession to thank Mary for her intercession and ask that she continue to intercede for us and for the United States. The procession will begin at ___ in the chapel. The hymns we will sing are available below.
After the noon high Mass, there will be a potluck in the PFC. As part of the celebrations, we will sing patriotic songs and hymns in honor of Our Lady.
Schedule
Wed Dec 7 (Eve)
6:30 PM Mass (anticipatory)
Thu Dec 8 (Solemnity)
8:00 AM Mass
11:30 AM Procession
12:00 Noon Mass
12:45 PM Potluck
6:30 PM Mass
8:00 PM Spanish Mass
Hymns for Procession
Alma Redemptoris Mater
ALMA Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli
Porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti,
Surgere qui curat, populo: tu quae genuisti,
Natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem
Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore
Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere.
MOTHER of Christ, hear thou thy people's cry
Star of the deep and Portal of the sky!
Mother of Him who thee made from nothing made.
Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid:
Oh, by what joy which Gabriel brought to thee,
Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.
Litany of Loreto
Lord have mercy Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy on us. Christ hear us. Christ graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, Pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, Pray for us.
Mother of Christ, Pray for us.
Mother of the Church, Pray for us.
Mother of Mercy, Pray for us.
Mother of Divine Grace, Pray for us.
Mother of Hope, Pray for us.
Mother most pure, Pray for us.
Mother most chaste, Pray for us.
Mother inviolate, Pray for us.
Mother undefiled, Pray for us.
Mother most amiable, Pray for us.
Mother admirable, Pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, Pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, Pray for us.
Mother of our Savior, Pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, Pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, Pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, Pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, Pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, Pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, Pray for us.
Mirror of justice, Pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, Pray for us.
Cause of our joy, Pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, Pray for us.
Vessel of honour, Pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, Pray for us.
Mystical rose, Pray for us.
Tower of David, Pray for us.
Tower of ivory, Pray for us.
House of gold, Pray for us.
Ark of the covenant, Pray for us.
Gate of heaven, Pray for us.
Morning star, Pray for us.
Health of the sick, Pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, Pray for us.
Solace of migrants, Pray for us.
Comfort of the afflicted, Pray for us.
Help of Christians, Pray for us.
Queen of Angels, Pray for us.
Queen of Patriarchs, Pray for us.
Queen of Prophets, Pray for us.
Queen of Apostles, Pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs, Pray for us.
Queen of Confessors, Pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, Pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, Pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, Pray for us.
Queen assumed into Heaven, Pray for us.
Queen of the most Holy Rosary, Pray for us.
Queen of families, Pray for us.
Queen of peace. Pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord God, that we, your servants,
may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body;
and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin,
may be delivered from present sorrow,
and obtain eternal joy. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Immaculate Mary
1 Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing.
You reign now in splendor with Jesus our King.
Refrain:
Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria!
Ave, Ave, Maria!
2 In heaven the blessed your glory proclaim;
On earth we your children invoke your fair name. [Refrain]
3 We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And bless, Holy Mary, the land of our birth. [Refrain]