Feast of the Immaculate Conception
I could still remember my school days before wherein we always celebrate the Feast of Immaculate Conception. As far as I can remember, I am always happy when this day comes..first reason, we don’t have a class…second we only need to attend a Mass..third we have some games and activities in school which means fun for me during those days.. Having attended Notre Dame Schools back home from high school to College, I really extend my thanks and gratitude to my mentors and teachers who had helped me mold of what I am now. Respect to all of you! I might not grew up perfectly but at least, the values and teachings that these great people had imparted to me are still there and always reminds me to do whatever things I need to do and if possible always do the right thing. I could even remember one teacher who said, “Do whatever things you want to do, as long as you do it the right way”. I know I am not perfect and will never be perfect at all, the most important thing which I believed is that, I am always trying my best to do whatever is good for me especially to my family and I hope to my friends too and people around me. I know I can’t always make people happy but at least I am trying…What I just keep on hoping and praying is that, I hope that I will be given more patience, passion, calmness and most of all the spirit of forgiveness. I will try and try and try..
So what is really Feast of the Immaculate Conception is all about..before I will end this personal post..Please visit this site, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immaculate_Conception for more info about this topic.
The Immaculate Conception is, according to Roman Catholic dogma, the conception of the Virgin Mary without any stain (“macula” in Latin) of original sin. It is sometimes also called the Immaculata, particularly in artistic contexts. The dogma thus says that, from the first moment of her existence, she was preserved by God from the lack of sanctifying grace that afflicts mankind, and that she was instead filled with divine grace. It is further believed that she lived a life completely free from sin. Her immaculate conception in the womb of her mother, by sexual intercourse, should not be confused with the doctrine of the virginal conception of her son Jesus.
The feast of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated on 8 December, was established as a universal feast in 1476 by Pope Sixtus IV. He did not define the doctrine as a dogma, thus leaving Roman Catholics freedom to believe in it or not without being accused of heresy; this freedom was reiterated by the Council of Trent. The existence of the feast was a strong indication of the Church’s belief in the Immaculate Conception, even before its 19th century definition as a dogma.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation, except where conferences of bishops have decided, with the approval of the Holy See, not to maintain it as such. It is a public holiday in some countries where Roman Catholicism is predominant.
