TODAY’S GOSPEL READING – 7 DECEMBER
December 7, 2024
THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
December 8, 2024
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF MARY ADVENT – DECEMBER 8
Mary most chaste, the belief of your Immaculate Conception in your mother’s womb, declares that, from the first moment of your conception, you, Blessed Virgin Mary was, by the singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of Mankind, kept free from all stain of original sin.
Through the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection, every human being can be freed from sin at baptism. Through that same power, Mary, you were always free from sin, even from that very first moment of life.
You have been accorded the title “Blessed” in recognition of your assumption, body and soul into heaven and your entitlement to intercede on behalf of all who devotedly pray to you. Consecration to you does not diminish or substitute the love of God, but enhances it, for all consecration is ultimately made to God.
Today, the Church celebrates the special privileges given to you. At the liturgy, we thank God for all his blessings he has given to the people of the world. And we thank you, Mother Mary for watching over and spreading your mantle of protection over us.
COLLECT PRAYER FROM THE SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION:
O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin
prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son,
grant, we pray,
that as you preserved her from every stain
by virtue of the Death of your Son, which you foresaw
so through her intercession,
we, too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence.
through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son
who lives and reigns with you in the
unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
Amen
