The Church has always held the highest regard for Mary, the mother of Jesus. In the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, we learn that Mary was conceived and born without sin. The logic behind this doctrine is that God wanted to give Jesus the best mother possible. He chose to free Mary from original sin from the moment of her conception.

As God worked through Mary, so he works through us to accomplish his will of salvation for all people. As a parent, you are participating in God's plan by sharing your faith with the younger members of the Church.


In 1854 Pope Pius IX proclaimed the Feast of the Immaculate Conception a holy day of obligation to be celebrated on December 8. Even before this, in 1847, the United States' bishops declared Mary as the Immaculate Conception to be the patroness of the country. In Washington, DC the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year.

See the Liturgical Calendar on this site for additional information.
See also Catechist—Lent or Teacher—Lent for Liturgy.

Photo courtesy of Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC.