This second week of Advent includes several feast days that honor Mary. They begin on Monday, December 9, with the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation. Note that this year’s observance of the Immaculate Conception has been moved to 12/9. Because of this, we don’t celebrate Saint Juan Diego at Mass on his feast day (12/9), but it’s certainly appropriate to remember him when we celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe on Thursday, December 12. A relatively new feast honors Our Lady of Loreto on Tuesday, December 10.
As we move closer to Christmas, it is natural for us to think of Jesus’ mother and the final weeks of her pregnancy as we prepare to celebrate our Savior’s birth. We encourage you and the children in your care to pray the Hail Mary every day this week.
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