The feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8. It was first solemnised as a Holy Day of Obligation on December 6, 1708 under the Papal Bull Commission, NobisDivinitus by Pope Clement XI and is often celebrated with Catholic Mass, parades, fireworks, processions, food, and cultural festivities in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. BETTY AMUKPO engages some children on the meaning of the Immaculate Conception and why it is celebrated on December 8
The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception teaches that Mary, was conceived without sin’
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, also called Immaculate Conception Day, celebrates the belief in the sinless lifespan and Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, celebrated on December 8, nine months before the feast of the Nativity of Mary, celebrated on September 8. It is one of the most important Marian feasts in the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church celebrated worldwide. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception teaches that Mary, the mother of Christ, was conceived without sin and her conception was thus immaculate. Mary’s sinless conception is one of the reasons she is referredto as “Mary full of grace”
• Barnabas Awaki
‘The Immaculate Conception means the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother, St. Anne’
Immaculate Conception means that Mary the Mother of Jesus was preserved free from original sin from the first instant of her conception. It is said that Mary the mother of Jesus, was conceived in the womb of her mother St. Anne, without original sin. The Immaculate Conception means the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother St. Anne. The Immaculate Conception was necessary in order for her to give birth later to Jesus without infecting him with original sin. The feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8, and is usually a Holy day of obligation, in which Catholics are required to attend Mass. However, St. Pius IX declared that December 8 should be a day to celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Mary was filled with divine grace from the time of her conception.
• Etu – Prisca
‘There is a popular idea that the day refers to the conception of Jesus by the Virgin Mary, no; it is actually the conception of Mary herself that is referred to here’
Immaculate Conception, a dogma asserting that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was preserved free from the effects of the sin of Adam (usually referred to as “original sin”) from the f irst instant of her conception. Mary’s privilege, thus, was by God’s grace and not of any intrinsic merit on her part. T he Immaculate Conception teaches that Mary, the mother of Christ, was conceived without sin and her conception was thus immaculate. Mary’s sinless conception is the reason why Catholics refer to Mary as “full of grace” While the doctrine of the Virgin birth teaches that Jesus was born of a virgin mother and, thus, was without an earthly father, the Immaculate Conception refers to the earthly origin of Mary herself. T he angelic greeting in Luke1:28 refers to Mary as “highly favoured” or “full of grace.” the references to Mary as “Woman” (e.g. John 2 and John 19). The evangelist alludes to Eve, who is called “Woman” in Gen 2. A very important pillar of Catholic teaching is celebrated on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. There is a popular idea that the day refers to the conception of Jesus by the Virgin Mary. It doesn’t. As a matter of fact, it is actually the concepion of Mary herself that is referred to here.
• Bryan Okononfua
‘It prepares for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ; thus, it is celebrated on December 8’
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic feast that celebrates Our Mother Mary’s conception without sin.This feast day occurs in the liturgical season of Advent,it prepares for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. T hus, it is celebrated on December 8, nine months before the feast of the Nativity of Mary, which is celebrated on September 8.
• Victoria Okefe
‘Since the birth of Mary is celebrated on September 8, therefore the feast of her conception has to be done 9 months before her birth’
Immaculate Conception is the dogma that states that Mary the mother of God was preserved from the effects of original sin. It was first solemnised asHoly Day of Obligation on December 6, 1708 under the Papal CommisiNobusDivinitus by Pope Clement XI. It was first celebrated on December 8, 1854, several years later in 1858, the Blessed Mother gave Her name to St. Bernadette at Lourdes stating “I am the Immaculate Conception”. Why is the Immaculate Conception celebrated on 8th December? It is because, since the birth of Mary is celebrated on September 8, therefore the feast of her conception has to be done 9 months before her Birth.
• Chinedu Ebubechukwu
‘Immaculate Conception is a dogma on how Mary was conceived by St. Anne, her mother through the Holy Spirit’
Immaculate Conception is a Dogma of the Church on how Mother Mary was conceived by St. Anne, her mother through the Holy Spirit without the act of original sin. It is celebrated on December 8 because Mother Mary’s birthday is on September 8, which is 9months after.
• Munachimso Emmanuella Okasi
‘The Immaculate Conception in the view of merits of Jesus Christ, preserved and exempted from all stain of original sin’.
In constitution ineffabilis Deus of December 8,1854, Pius IX pronounced and defined that the Blessed Virgin Mary “in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in the view of merits of Jesus Christ, the saviour of the human race, preserved and exempted from all stain of original sin” as a dogma in the Church.
• Favour Okoroafor
