Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

"Hail Mary, full of grace..."

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception commemorates the day that Mary was conceived without the stain of original sin. The feast occurs on December 8, but in 2024, the celebration is transferred to December 9 because December 8 is a Sunday. It is the patronal feast of the United States and of the Diocese of Portland.

Although it was long believed by many Christians that Mary, who was to be the Mother of God, was conceived without sin, it wasn't until 1854 that Pope Pius IX declared it to be dogma of the Catholic Church. In Ineffabilis Deus, he wrote that "the Blessed Virgin Mary, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, was preserved free from every stain of original sin is a doctrine revealed by God and, for this reason, must be firmly and constantly believed by all the faithful."

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a holy day of obligation. Mass times listed by city/town may be found below. Mass times listed by parish may be found here. Prayers to Mary, the Immaculate Conception may be found here.

Holy Day Mass Times

Bath

All Saints Parish:

St. Mary Church, 144 Lincoln Street - Monday, December 8, at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Boothbay Harbor

All Saints Parish:

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 82 Atlantic Avenue - Monday, December 8, at Noon

Bridgton

St. Joseph Parish:

St. Joseph Church, 225 South High Street - Monday, December 8, at 8:30 a.m.

Brunswick

All Saints Parish:

St. Charles Borromeo Church, 132 McKeen Street - Monday, December 8, at Noon and 6:30 p.m.

St. John the Baptist Church, 39 Pleasant Street - Monday, December 8, at 8 a.m.

Fryeburg

St. Joseph Parish:

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 857 Main Street - Monday, December 8, at 6 p.m.

Gorham

St. Anthony of Padua Parish:

St. Anne Church, 299 Main Street– Monday, December 8, at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Mechanic Falls

St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish:

Our Lady of Ransom Church, 117 Elm Street - Monday, December 8, at 5:30 p.m..

Newcastle

All Saints Parish:

St. Patrick Church, 380 Academy Hill Road - Monday, December 8, at 6 p.m.

Norway

St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish:

St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 32 Paris Street - Monday, December 8, at 8 a.m.

Oxford

St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish:

St. Mary Church, 276 King Street - Monday, December 8, at 12:15 p.m.

Richmond

All Saints Parish:

St. Ambrose Church, 29 Kimball Street - Monday, December 8, at 10 a.m.

Westbrook

St. Anthony of Padua Parish:

St. Hyacinth Church, 268 Brown Street – Sunday, December 7, at 4 p.m., and Monday, December 8, at 12:15 p.m.

Windham

St. Anthony of Padua Parish:

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 919 Roosevelt Trail – Sunday, December 7, at 4 p.m., and Monday, December 8, at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.