Immaculate Conception solemnity to be celebrated on Dec. 9

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM) on Saturday reminded the faithful that the celebration for the Solemnity of Immaculate Conception will be moved from Dec. 8 to Dec. 9 as it will fall on a Sunday, coinciding with the second Sunday of Advent.

“The norms of the Liturgical Calendar provide that in cases when there is a concurrence of a solemnity and a Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Advent takes precedence over the solemnity,” the Manila Archdiocese said, citing the memorandum circular signed by RCAM Vice Chancellor Fr. Carmelo Arada, head of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission.

“During all Masses and the Liturgy of the Hours on the evening of 7 December and the whole day of 8 December, the liturgy of the Second Sunday of Advent will be celebrated,” the memorandum further read.

The Solemnity of Immaculate Conception is considered a holy day of obligation, which celebrates the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary without original sin.

The Vatican’s Dicastery on Legislative Texts had clarified that the Immaculate Conception solemnity will be observed as a holy day of obligation on its transferred day.

The Manila Archdiocese urged the faithful to attend the mass and to “catechize our people with the utmost pastoral sensitivity and concern.”

Under the Church’s Canon Law, Catholics must participate in the Holy Eucharistic celebration and abstain from work or business during a holy day of obligation.

Every Sunday is recognized as a holy day of obligation.

The Nativity of Jesus Christ (December 25), the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (January 1), and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 21) are also among the holy days of obligation.
—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News