"Hail Mary, full of grace..."
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated on December 8, commemorates the day that Mary was conceived without the stain of original sin.
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.
Ashland
Parish of the Precious Blood:
St. Mark Church, 13 Allen Farm Road - Tuesday, December 7, at 6 p.m.
Auburn
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish:
Sacred Heart Church, 8 Sacred Heart Place - Wednesday, December 8, at 7 a.m. and Noon
St. Philip Church, 2365 Turner Road - Wednesday, December 8, at 6 p.m.
Augusta
St. Michael Parish:
St. Augustine Church, 75 Northern Avenue - Wednesday, December 8, at 7:30 a.m.
St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 41 Western Avenue - Tuesday, December 7, at 6 p.m. and Wednesday, December 8, at Noon
Baileyville
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish:
St. James the Greater Church, 15 Hillside Street - Wednesday, December 8, 9 a.m.
Bangor
St. Paul the Apostle Parish:
St. John Church, 217 York Street - Tuesday, December 7, at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 8, at 9:30 a.m.
St. Mary Church, 768 Ohio Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 8:30 a.m.
Bar Harbor
Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord:
Holy Redeemer Church, 56 Mount Desert Street - Tuesday, December 7, at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 8, at 8:30 a.m.
Bath
All Saints Parish:
St. Mary Church, 144 Lincoln Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 8 a.m.
Belfast
St. Brendan the Navigator Parish:
St. Francis of Assisi Church, 81 Court Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 6:30 p.m.
Benedicta
St. Benedict Parish:
St. Benedict Church, 1063 Benedicta Road - Wednesday, December 8, at 9 a.m.
Bethel
Parish of the Holy Savior:
Our Lady of the Snows Church, 265 Walker's Mills Road - Wednesday, December 8, at 6:30 p.m.
Biddeford
Good Shepherd Parish:
St. Joseph Church, 178 Elm Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 6 p.m.
Bingham
Christ the King Parish:
St. Peter Church, 27 Owens Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 2:30 p.m.
Boothbay Harbor
All Saints Parish:
Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 82 Atlantic Avenue - Wednesday, December 8, at noon
Bradley
Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord:
St. Ann Church, 84 Main Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 6 p.m.
Brewer
St. Paul the Apostle Parish:
St. Joseph Church, 531 North Main Street - Wednesday, December 8, at Noon
St. Teresa Church, 425 South Main Street - Tuesday, December 7, at 5:30 p.m.
Bridgton
St. Joseph Parish:
St. Joseph Church, 225 South High Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 5:30 p.m.
Brunswick
All Saints Parish:
St. Charles Borromeo Church, 132 McKeen Street - Wednesday December 8, at 6 p.m.
Bucksport
Stella Maris Parish:
St. Vincent de Paul Church, 60 Franklin Street - Tuesday, December 7, at 6 p.m.
Calais
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish:
Immaculate Conception Church, 31 Calais Avenue - Tuesday, December 7, 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday, December 8, at noon.
Camden
St. Brendan the Navigator Parish:
Our Lady of Good Hope Church, 7 Union Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 8 a.m.
Campobello Island
St. Peter the Fisherman Parish:
St. Timothy Church, Catholic Cemetery Road - Wednesday, December 8, at 4 p.m. Atlantic Time
Cape Elizabeth
St. John Paul II Parish:
St. Bartholomew Church, 8 Two Lights Road - Wednesday, December 8, at 5 p.m.
Caribou
Parish of the Precious Blood:
Holy Rosary Church, 34 Vaughn Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 6 p.m.
Sacred Heart Church, 1143 Van Buren Road - Wednesday, December 8, at 8:30 a.m.
Cherryfield
St. Peter the Fisherman Parish:
St. Michael Church, 51 Elm Street - Tuesday, December 7, at 5:30 p.m.
Dover-Foxcroft
Our Lady of the Snows Parish:
St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 43 High Street - Tuesday, December 7, at 6 p.m.
Eagle Lake
St. John Vianney Parish:
St. Mary Church, 3451 Aroostook Road - Wednesday, December 8, at 11 a.m.
East Millinocket
Christ the Divine Mercy Parish:
St. Peter Church, 58 Cedar Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 4:30 p.m.
Eastport
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish:
St. Joseph Church, 51 Washington Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 5:30 p.m.
Ellsworth
St. Joseph Parish:
St. Joseph Church, 231 Main Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Falmouth
Parish of the Holy Eucharist:
Holy Martyrs of North America Church, 266 Foreside Road - Tuesday, December 7, at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 8, at 7:30 a.m.
Farmington
St. Joseph Parish:
St. Joseph Church, 133 Middle Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 6 p.m.
Fort Fairfield
Parish of the Precious Blood:
St. Denis Church, 143 Main Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 8:30 a.m.
Fort Kent
St. John Vianney Parish:
St. Louis Church, 26 East Main Street - Tuesday, December 7, at 4 p.m. and Wednesday, December 8, at 7 a.m.
Freeport
Parish of the Holy Eucharist:
St. Jude Church, 134 Main Street - Tuesday, December 7, at 6:30 p.m.
Fryeburg
St. Joseph Parish:
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 857 Main Street - Wednesday, December 7, at 6 p.m.
Gardiner
St. Michael Parish:
St. Joseph Church, 110 School Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 8:30 a.m.
Gorham
St. Anthony of Padua Parish:
St. Anne Church, 299 Main Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Gray
Parish of the Holy Eucharist:
St. Gregory Church, 24 North Raymond Road - Wednesday, December 8, at 8:30 a.m.
Greenville
Holy Family Parish:
Holy Family Church, 145 Pritham Avenue - Wednesday, December 8, at 7:30 a.m.
Hampden
St. Paul the Apostle Parish:
St. Matthew Church, 70 Western Avenue - Wednesday, December 8, at 5:30 p.m.
Houlton
St. Mary of the Visitation Parish:
St. Mary of the Visitation Church, 112 Military Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Howland
Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish:
St. Leo the Great Church, 16 River Road - Tuesday, December 7, at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 8, at 8 a.m.
Island Falls
St. Agnes Parish:
St. Agnes Church, 76 Sewall Street - Tuesday, December 7, at 6 p.m.
Jackman
St. Anthony of Padua Parish:
St. Faustina Church, 370 Main Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 5 p.m.
Jay
St. Rose of Lima Parish:
St. Rose of Lima Church, 1 Church Street - Tuesday, December 7, at 6 p.m. and Wednesday, December 8, at 12:15 p.m.
Kennebunk
Holy Spirit Parish:
St. Martha Church, 30 Portland Road - Wednesday, December 8, at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Kittery
Parish of the Ascension of the Lord:
St. Raphael Church, 6 Whipple Road - Wednesday, December 8, at 9 a.m.
Lewiston
Prince of Peace Parish:
Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul, 122 Ash Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 7 a.m.
Holy Cross Church, 1080 Lisbon Street - Tuesday, December 7, at 5:30 p.m.
Holy Family Church, 607 Sabattus Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 6 p.m.
Limerick
St. Matthew Parish:
St. Matthew Church, 19 Dora Lane - Wednesday, December 8, at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Limestone
Parish of the Precious Blood:
St. Louis Church, 100 Main Street - Tuesday, December 7, at 6 p.m.
Lincoln
Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish:
St. Mary of Lourdes Church, 142 Main Street - Tuesday, December 7, at 4 p.m. and Wednesday, December 8, at 10 a.m.
Lisbon Falls
Prince of Peace Parish:
Holy Trinity Church, 67 Frost Hill Avenue - Wednesday, December 8, at 8:30 a.m.
Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 131 High Street - Tuesday, December 7, at 6 p.m.
Lubec
St. Peter the Fisherman Parish:
Sacred Heart Church, 14 Hamilton Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 4:30 p.m.
Lyman
Good Shepherd Parish:
St. Philip Church, 404 Goodwins Mills Road - Wednesday, December 8, at 9 a.m.
Machias
St. Peter the Fisherman Parish:
Holy Name of Jesus Church, 8 Free Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 8:30 a.m.
Madawaska
Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish:
St. David Church, 774 Main Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 8:30 a.m.
St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 337 St. Thomas Street - Tuesday, December 7, at 6 p.m. and Wednesday, December 8, at 8:30 a.m.
Madison
Christ the King Parish:
St. Sebastian Church, 161 Main Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 8 a.m.
Manset (Southwest Harbor)
Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord:
St. Peter Church, 5 Ocean House Hill Road - Wednesday, December 8, at 6:30 p.m.
Mechanic Falls
St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish:
Our Lady of Ransom Church, 117 Elm Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 5:30 p.m.
Millinocket
Christ the Divine Mercy Parish:
St. Martin of Tours Church, 19 Colby Street - Tuesday, December 7, at 4 p.m.
Newcastle
All Saints Parish:
St. Patrick Church, 380 Academy Hill Road - Wednesday, December 8 at 6 p.m..
Norway
St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish:
St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 32 Paris Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 8 a.m.
Old Orchard Beach
Good Shepherd Parish:
St. Margaret Church, 6 Saco Avenue - Wednesday, December 8, at Noon
Old Town
Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord:
Holy Family Church, 429 Main Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 8 a.m.
Orono
Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord:
Our Lady of Wisdom Church, 83 College Avenue - Tuesday, December 7, at 8 p.m.
University of Maine campus, Bangor room of Student Union - Wednesday, December 8, at noon
Peaks Island
St. Christopher Church, 15 Central Avenue - Wednesday, December 8, at 6:30 p.m.
Pittsfield
St. Agnes Parish:
St. Agnes Church, 238 Detroit Street - Tuesday, December 7, at 6 p.m.
Portland
Our Lady of Hope Parish:
St. Joseph Church, 673 Stevens Avenue - Tuesday, December 7, at 7 p.m.
St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue - Tuesday, December 7, at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 8, at 9 a.m.
Portland Peninsula & Island Parishes:
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 8 a.m. (Latin Mass in the chapel) and at 12:15 p.m. and 6 p.m. (Masses at 12:15 and 6 p.m. also livestreamed)
Sacred Heart Church, 65 Mellen Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 6:30 p.m.
St. Christopher Church, 15 Central Avenue, Peaks Island - Wednesday, December 8, at 6:30 p.m.
St. Louis Church, 279 Danforth Street, Portland - Wednesday, December 8, at 4 p.m.
St. Peter Church, 72 Federal Street, Portland - Wednesday, December 8, at 7 a.m.
Presque Isle
Parish of the Precious Blood:
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 333 Main Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 6 p.m.
Rangeley
Our Lady of the Lakes Parish:
St. Luke Church, 19 Lake Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 8 a.m.
Rockland
St. Brendan the Navigator Parish:
St. Bernard Church, 150 Broadway - Tuesday, December 7, at 6:30 p.m.
Rumford
Parish of the Holy Savior:
St. Athanasius & St. John Church, 126 Maine Avenue - Tuesday, December 7, at 6:30 p.m.
Sabattus
Prince of Peace Parish:
Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 131 High Street - Tuesday, December 7, at 6 p.m.
Saco
Good Shepherd Parish:
Most Holy Trinity Church, 271 Main Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 6 p.m.
Saint Agatha
Our Lady of the Valley Parish:
St. Agatha Church, 379 Main Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 6 p.m.
St. Joseph Church, 413 Shore Road - Wednesday, December 8, at 8:30 a.m.
Saint Francis
St. John Vianney Parish:
St. Charles Borromeo Church, 912 Main Street - Tuesday, December 7, at 6 p.m.
Sanford
St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish:
Holy Family Church, 66 North Avenue - Tuesday, December 7, at 6 p.m. and Wednesday, December 8, at 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Scarborough
St. John Paul II Parish:
St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road, Scarborough- Wednesday, December 8, at 6 p.m.
Sinclair
Our Lady of the Valley Parish:
St. Joseph Church, 413 Shore Road - Wednesday, December 8, at 8:30 a.m.
Skowhegan
Christ the King Parish:
Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, 273 Water Street - Wednesday, December 8, at Noon
Soldier Pond (Wallagrass)
St. John Vianney Parish:
St. Joseph Church, 7 Church Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 5 p.m.
South Berwick
Parish of the Ascension of the Lord:
Our Lady of the Angels Church, 162 Agamenticus Road - Tuesday, December 7, at 7 pm. and Wednesday, December 8, at 7 p.m.
South Portland
St. John Paul II Parish:
Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland - Wednesday, December 8 at 7:30 a.m.
Southwest Harbor (Manset)
Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord:
St. Peter Church, 5 Ocean House Hill Road - Wednesday, December 8, at 6:30 p.m.
Stonington
Stella Maris Parish:
St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 8 Granite Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 8 a.m.
Stratton
Our Lady of the Lakes Parish:
St. John Church, 76 Main Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 6 p.m.
Van Buren
St. Peter Chanel Parish:
St. Bruno - St. Remi Church, 174 Main Street - Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Wallagrass
St. John Vianney Parish:
St. Joseph Church, 7 Church Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 5 p.m.
Waterville
Corpus Christi Parish:
Notre Dame Church, 116 Silver Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 12:15 p.m.
Wells
Holy Spirit Parish:
St. Mary Church, 236 Eldridge Road - Wednesday, December 8, at 9:15 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Westbrook
St. Anthony of Padua Parish:
St. Hyacinth Church, 268 Brown Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 7:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
Windham
St. Anthony of Padua Parish:
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 919 Roosevelt Trail - Wednesday, December 8, at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Winslow
Corpus Christi Parish:
St. John the Baptist Church, 26 Monument Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 6 p.m.
Winthrop
St. Michael Parish:
St. Francis Xavier Church, 130 U.S. Route 133 - Tuesday, December 7, at 6 p.m.
Whitefield
St. Michael Parish:
St. Denis Church, 298 Grand Army Road - Wednesday, December 8, at 6 p.m.
Yarmouth
Parish of the Holy Eucharist:
Sacred Heart Church, 326 Main Street - Wednesday, December 8, at 9 a.m.
York
Parish of the Ascension of the Lord:
St. Christopher Church, 4 Barrell Lane - Tuesday, December 7, at 7 p.m. and Wednesday, December 8, at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.
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