Did You Know?

December 8^th is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “The dogma that Mary was kept free from original sin from the first moment of her conception was solemnly declared by Pope Pius IX in 1854, but it was by no means a new invention.  The Eastern Church had celebrated this day from as early as the eighth century, and it soon spread to the West.  It has been on the Church’s universal calendar since 1708.  The Immaculate Conception is a singular grace, given to Mary to enable her to say “yes” to God.  No stain of original sin touches her who is to become the Ark of the Covenant, the Temple in which God comes to dwell.  This is a unique grace.  And yet, Mary is our model for holiness.  By our Baptism, we have been washed clean of the stain of original sin to become temples for the Holy Spirit.  And we look to Mary for an example of the life of discipleship, open to God’s word, obedient to God’s will.  This Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated with great festivity in many places around the world, particularly in Spain.  In the Cathedral of Seville, there is a unique tradition called Los Seises or the “Dance of the Six.”  Six boys perform a solemn dance before the Blessed Sacrament as hymns are sung in honour of the Immaculate Conception.  It is a tradition that survives to this day, a vivid image of joy of the Church in this celebration of the grace of God at work in the Blessed Virgin Mary.” Companion to the Calendar – A guide to the Saints, Seasons, and Holidays of the Year, Second Edition, page 148-149  Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners.  Do a little dance to celebrate Mary today.

Catholic WORD of the Week

“Witness – In its ordinary meaning, witness refers to the attestation of testimony concerning some state of affairs or action of which one has direct knowledge or acquaintance.  In its specifically Christian sense, it refers in the first place to the testimony of those who knew Our Lord and who bear witness to His resurrection.  The Apostles and the first disciples of Christ are the chief witnesses in the Christian community.  Subsequently, however, all who are followers of Christ are called to bear witness to the hope that He imparts to Christians to the whole world.  In this sense, the shape of the Christian’s daily life is a living witness to His faith and hope in Christ.  The Christian may also be called upon to bear witness to Christ in words, in exhortation, in encouragement, in preaching, in defending the Faith, and so on.” Our Sunday Visitor’s CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA, page 970