The Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Dec 8th

This Wednesday is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - a Holy Day of Obligation for Roman Catholics. This brings up several questions that I had prior to becoming Catholic: 1) what is a Holy Day of Obligation & why? 2) Immaculate Conception? Isn't that how Jesus was conceived?

I will discuss #2 first, since this is the far more important of the two questions. The Immaculate Conception does NOT refer to how Jesus was conceived - which is what I thought for many, many years. I am not sure if I'm just not very intelligent or if others think this as well. I got the straight scoop during our time with the RCIA team prior to confirmation. Boy, was I surprised to learn that the Immaculate Conception is how Mary, mother of Jesus, was conceived. Mary had no original sin, period. Through the grace of God, Mary was conceived without sin, born without sin, and when she died, her body & soul was "assumed" (the Assumpution of Mary) into heaven. This was one special lady! I thought she was special because she said "yes" to God but she was special since the moment she was conceived.

The other question (#1 above) that this brings up is what is a Holy Day of Obligation? Officially, Canon Law #1247 states:

On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass.

Moreover they are to abstain from those works and affairs which hinder the worship to be rendered to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s day, or the suitable relaxation of mind and body.

Basically, we Catholics have to attend Mass that day to honor or celebrate the holiday or feast day for that designated day. It is an important part of being Catholic. We attend Mass every Sunday, every Holy Day of Obligation, and we participate in Holy  Communion (Eucharist) every time (as long as we have not committed a mortal sin so are in good relations with our Lord). Note: more on mortal sin & reconciliation another time.

There is much more Catholics believe and participate in and are expected to do. I will try to delve into other areas as time goes on. Questions or comments are always welcomed. In the meantime, God bless, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Peace on Earth.