What is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception?
Many people mistakenly believe that the Immaculate Conception is centered around when Jesus was conceived; however, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception actually refers to Mary. The Church teaches that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was conceived without the stain of Original Sin and remained sinless throughout her life. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrates Mary as the perfect vessel for carrying the Son of God. We are also reminded of the selfless act of Mary who consented to God’s request for her to give birth to Jesus. For our Cathedral, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception holds special meaning as it is the Cathedral’s namesake. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is also a special national feast day as the nation was dedicated to Mary, by a gathering of Catholic bishops in 1846, under the title of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.
