For years the concept of The Immaculate Conception existed through tradition, which held that the parents of The Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Anne and St. Joachim, had prayed for a child for many years but were unable to have one. And, despite their wealth and generosity, the couple had been rejected by their community because their inability to have a child was seen as a sign God was unhappy with them. 

Finally, Joachim goes into the desert to fast and pray for forty days while Anne prays as well. 

Independently, they are told by Angels that they will indeed have a child and the two meet in embrace at the city gate of Jerusalem to share the joyful news. Then, Mary is Immaculately Conceived through The Holy Spirit in the womb of St. Anne. 

This Feast Day for The Blessed Mother has its origins in the Eastern Church in the 8th century. By the 11th century, it had arrived in the west which is when it was given the name we use to this day: The Immaculate Conception. 

However, official recognition of The Immaculate Conception took quite a bit longer and The Blessed Mother, herself, eventually stepped in to move things along. 

With the help of the writings of Wiliam Ware and Blessed John Duns Scotus, Pope Pius IX, on this day in 1854, issued Ineffabilis Deus which declares that Mary was conceived through God’s Grace, free from original sin. 

Just four years later, The Blessed Mother herself would confirm this dogma, appearing to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, France telling her: “I am The Immaculate Conception.” 

Today let us pray using the words she gave to St. Catherine Laboure’: 

Oh Mary, Conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.