There is often misunderstanding concerning this Holy Day and the meaning of "Immaculate Conception."
From the Modern Catholic Encyclopedia:
The Immaculate Conception is the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was graced by God in such a way that she was preserved from sin from the first moment of her existence. "Immaculate" refers to the absence of sin or stain and "Conception" refers to Mary's very beginning.
This belief has nothing to do with the sexual manner of Mary's conception, nor with the way in which she later conceived her own child through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit...it points to God's graciousness to this woman as she came into the world sinless or "full of grace."
In 1854, after consultation with the world's bishops. Pope Pius IX declared this belief to be a dogma of the Catholic Church
In the United States this is a holy day of obligation, partly because this country is dedicated to Mary under the title of The Immaculate Conception.
Mass times for the Holy Day of obligation at St. John Cathedral in downtown Cleveland:
Wednesday, December 7th (Vigil Mass) - 7pm
Thursday, December 8th - 7:15am, 12pm, 5:10pm and 7:00pm
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See photos from the noon Mass at the cathedral by clicking here.