Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

By Communications Department - Archdiocese of Miami

This year, December 8 is the Second Sunday of Advent. As a result, the observance of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Patronal Feast Day of the United States of America, will be transferred to Monday, December 9.

In previous years when December 8 fell on a Sunday, it was the practice in our country to indicate that the obligation to attend Mass does not transfer with the liturgical observance. However, the Dicastery for Legislative Texts has recently clarified that the feast “must be observed as a day of obligation on the day to which it is transferred.” Therefore, to fulfill the obligation for Solemnity on Monday, December 9, parishes should accommodate mass times for the faithful to attend on Monday, December 9.

Note: Parishes will not anticipate the Solemnity on Sunday evening but instead celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent for the entirety of Sunday.

The Liturgy of the Hours for the Immaculate Conception will also be transferred to Monday, December 9. The optional Memorial of Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin is omitted.