Was it Mary or Jesus who was conceived on December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception? What's the difference between the celebrations on September 8 and December 8? For that matter, what's the difference between the feasts of the Annunciation and the Immaculate Conception?
If you're not sure, then you're not alone. There is a logic to the liturgical calendar that is not always explained in religion classes or even in Church. Most Catholics (should?) know that the liturgical year starts with Advent and ends with Easter. The rest of the year is known as "ordinary time," which also occurs between the feast of the Epiphany and Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.
But there are other events that do not follow the Advent-to-Easter cycle. Like the feast of the Immaculate Conception. And the Annunciation. And Mary's birthday.
Part of the confusion arises, I believe, because the readings for those three events—primarily Luke's account of the Annunciation—are also read during the Advent season.
In fact, the feast of the Immaculate Conception takes place during Advent. So people tend to think that it's part of the preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ on Christmas day. Wrong.
If you're not sure, then you're not alone. There is a logic to the liturgical calendar that is not always explained in religion classes or even in Church. Most Catholics (should?) know that the liturgical year starts with Advent and ends with Easter. The rest of the year is known as "ordinary time," which also occurs between the feast of the Epiphany and Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.
But there are other events that do not follow the Advent-to-Easter cycle. Like the feast of the Immaculate Conception. And the Annunciation. And Mary's birthday.
Part of the confusion arises, I believe, because the readings for those three events—primarily Luke's account of the Annunciation—are also read during the Advent season.
In fact, the feast of the Immaculate Conception takes place during Advent. So people tend to think that it's part of the preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ on Christmas day. Wrong.
Here's a list of the events mentioned above and the days on which they're celebrated:
But maybe it will make more sense if you look at it this way:
But if you already knew that the birthdates of Mary and Jesus Christ were set exactly nine months after the dates they were conceived, then maybe you'll want to take a look at "Ineffabilis Deus," the papal encyclical that defined the teaching on the Immaculate Conception.
Categories: Religion, Events
If that doesn't make the relationships between the events clear, that's because the events should not be viewed using the January-to-December cycle either.
March 25
September 8
December 8
December 25- Annunciation
- Mary's birthday
- Immaculate Conception
- Jesus Christ's birthday
But maybe it will make more sense if you look at it this way:
If you still can't see the relationships, try counting the months between the dates =)
December 8
September 8
March 25
December 25- Immaculate Conception
- Mary's birthday
- Annunciation
- Jesus Christ's birthday
But if you already knew that the birthdates of Mary and Jesus Christ were set exactly nine months after the dates they were conceived, then maybe you'll want to take a look at "Ineffabilis Deus," the papal encyclical that defined the teaching on the Immaculate Conception.
Categories: Religion, Events
