Feast Day: Immaculate Conception

Couldn't let today go by without posting ... The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a BIGGGGGG deal for Catholics. This is when we affirm that the Blessed Mother, in order to carry the Christ Child, in order to BE the Mother of God, in order to be "full of grace" -- HAD to be conceived and born without the stain of original sin. In some ways, this is an obvious doctrine -- how could the woman who carried the Son of God be anything less than the New Eve ... be anything less than the perfect human.

Some folks have a problem with this doctrine -- to me, it's an obvious one.

And we love to celebrate this feast -- it comes in the midst of Advent, when we're all focused on Christ's birth. It comes when we need to remember the joy of the season of Advent, while still remembering that Jesus came into this world to die for our sins! It comes at a perfect time -- which makes sense as this is all part of God's plan and MUST be perfect.

Today, since Kotch had the day off (going to a good Catholic school, ends up paying off), we all were able to attend Mass with the students of dh's school. The chaplain, Fr. Z., does an amazing job of explaining doctrine so all the kids (especially the teens who may not have a whole lot of Catholicity at home) "get it".

After Mass, we did a quick run to the library, than home to celebrate the Feast. We read Tomie de Paola's beautiful tribute to Mary, Mary: Mother of Jesus, and then watched Steve Ray's Footprints of God: Mary video which is an amazing mix of history, catechism and legend blended into an entertaining and informative 60+ minute documentary. We also colored pictures and made another Marian plaque to go with our collection (thank you, Waltzing Matilda!).

We would have done more, but the littles had dress-rehearsal for their plays this weekend right between 5-7:30p.m. (and dh had to have a crown re-glued at 3:15) which doesn't leave a whole lot of time for partying (especially when dh and I are up 4:30/5:00 each school morning!).

Prayer of Pope John Paul IIDecember 8, 2003

Queen of peace, pray for us!
Our gaze is directed toward you in great fear,

to you do we turn with ever-more insistent faith in these times marked by many uncertainties and fears for the present and future of our planet.

Together we lift our confident and sorrowful petition to you,

the first fruit of humanity redeemed by Christ,

finally freed from the slavery of evil and sin:

hear the cry of the pain of victims of war

and so many forms of violence that bloody the earth.

Clear away the darkness of sorrow and worry, of hate and vengeance.

Open up our minds and hearts to faith and forgiveness!
Mother of mercy and hope:

Help every human being of every race and culture to find and embrace Jesus,

who came to earth in the mystery of Christmas to give us 'His' peace.
Mary, Queen of peace, give us Christ, true peace in the world!

Mary, the Immaculate Conception,

PRAY for US!