Feast of the Immaculate Conception - Dec.8

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a holy day of obligation, will be observed Wednesday, Dec. 8.

It is one of the oldest Marian feasts, dating back to the seventh century. In 1846, Mary was proclaimed patroness of the United States under this title. By her faith, obedience and holiness, she teaches us what it means to be a bearer of Christ to the world.

This Dec. 8 the Church will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception by the papal bull, "Ineffabilis Deus," of Blessed Pius IX issued Dec. 8, 1954.

Archbishop Raymond L. Burke has invited all priests in the archdiocese to join him at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary from 1 to 3:30 p.m. for an afternoon of study and celebration of the doctrine.

The schedule of Masses for the holy day and preceding Tuesday, Dec. 7, vigil at the old and new cathedrals is as follows:

BASILICA OF ST. LOUIS (Old Cathedral), Memorial Drive and Walnut Street, Downtown: 5:10 p.m. Dec. 7; 7 and 11:15 a.m., and 12:10 and 5:10 p.m. Dec. 8.

CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF ST. LOUIS, Lindell Boulevard and Newstead Avenue, Central West End: 7 and 8 a.m., and 12:05 and 5:30 p.m. Dec. 8.

The Mass schedule at several other churches in the archdiocese is as follows:

ALL SAINTS, 7 McMenamy Drive, St. Peters: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7; 6:30 and 9 a.m., and 7 p.m. Dec. 8.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, 2300 Church Road, Arnold: 7 p.m. Dec. 7; 6 and 8 a.m., and 5:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 8.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, 5912 Highway 94-South, Augusta: 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 8.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, 2900 Marshall, Maplewood: 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 8, with Archbishop Burke to celebrate 6 p.m. Mass, followed by a chili supper in honor of the parish’s 100th anniversary.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, 110 Maryknoll Road, Old Monroe: 6 and 8 a.m., and 8 p.m. Dec. 8.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, 1020 W. Main, Park Hills: 7:30 p.m. at St. John Bismark Mission Dec. 7; 8 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, 481 Pine St., St. Mary: 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 8.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, 100 N. Washington Ave., Union: 7 p.m. Dec. 7; 7 a.m., noon and 7 p.m. Dec. 8.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, 14060 Highway 94 North, West Alton: 7 p.m. Dec. 7; 5 p.m. Dec. 8.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (Dardenne Prairie), 7701 Highway North, O’Fallon: 7 p.m. Dec. 7; 6:30 and 8 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. Dec. 8.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION-ST. HENRY, 3120 Lafayette Ave., St. Louis: 7 p.m. Dec. 7; 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 8.

MOST SACRED HEART, 751 N. Jefferson St., Florissant: 7 p.m. Dec. 7; 7 and 9 a.m., and 7 p.m. Dec. 8.

ST. FRANCIS BORGIA, 311 W. Second St., Washington: 7 a.m., noon and 7 p.m. Dec. 8.

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER (College) Church, Grand Avenue and Lindell Boulevard, Midtown St. Louis: 7:15 a.m., noon and 5:15 p.m. Dec. 8.

ST. JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST, 16th and Chestnut streets, Downtown: 7:10 and 11:30 a.m., and 12:10 p.m. Dec. 8.

ST. JOSEPH, Maryland and Meramec avenues, Clayton: 6:30 and 8 a.m., noon, 12:10 p.m. (in the parish hall) and 5:30 p.m. Dec. 8. A digital image of Our Lady of Guadalupe blessed by the Pope may be viewed in the church following the 4 p.m. Mass Saturday, Dec. 4, through noon Mass Thursday, Dec. 9.

ST. PETER, 243 W. Argonne Drive, Kirkwood: 6:45 and 8:15 a.m., noon and 7 p.m. Dec. 8.

ST. PETER, 324 S. Third St., St. Charles: 6:20 and 8 a.m., noon and 7 p.m. Dec. 8.

STE. GENEVIEVE, 49 DuBourg Place, Ste. Genevieve: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7; 6 and 8 a.m., and 12:10 p.m. Dec. 8.

From the St. Louis Review