Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Dear Friends in Christ,

Welcome to our weekly Sunday update. This Sunday (December 8, 2024) is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The doctrine of Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception was formally pronounced in the papal bull Ineffabilis Deus by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854. The idea that she alone among all humankind should be free of the taint of original sin had long been held by faithful Catholics. Pope Pius simply converted to doctrine a popular belief founded on the supreme logic that if God Himself had come into the world, the one who bore Him had been of necessity a pure vessel uncorrupted by the sin of Adam and Eve. Use of the long-established title Theotokos (“God-bearer”) with reference to the Blessed Virgin Mary had been forcefully upheld by the Council of Ephesus in 431. Fourteen hundred years later the Church finally got around to declaring that the Mother of God had been immaculately conceived. Three years after the declaration she appeared to a girl named Bernadette, the daughter of an impoverished family in the mountainous border country in southern France. After being asked repeatedly to identify herself, she finally replied, “I am the Immaculate Conception.”


Calendar of Saints and Special Observances

Celebrations are those listed in the Roman Missal of 1962 or on the liturgical calendar of Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary.

DAY, DATE – FEAST (CLASS)

Sunday, December 8 – Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (I) – Second Sunday of Advent

Monday, December 9 – Feria of Advent (III) – Deferred celebration of the Immaculate Conception (Holy Day of Obligation) per U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Tuesday, December 10 – Commemoration of St. Melchiades, Pope and Martyr

Wednesday, December 11 – St. Damasus I, Pope and Confessor (III)

Thursday, December 12 – Feria of Advent (III) – (USA) Our Lady of Guadalupe (III)

Friday, December 13 – St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr (III) – Feria of Advent

Saturday, December 14 – Feria of Advent (III)


The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

“I will put enmities between thee and the woman.” In these words the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary was announced to our first parents. It was to be the reversal of the friendship with the serpent contracted by Eve, when she listened to his voice and fell under his power. The second Eve was never to be under the power of the devil; the enmity between them was to admit of no possible exception. This involved the grace of being conceived immaculate. Mary’s Immaculate Conception was the foundation of all her graces. The absence of any stain or spot of sin distinguished her from all the rest of mankind. . . . O Queen, conceived without original sin, pray for us, who have recourse to thee.” [Roman Missal]

The links provided below can be used to download printable copies of the Proper Prayers for Mass in the Extraordinary Form for the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary with either English or Spanish translation. Also offered below is a link to a very interesting article by Dr. Michael P. Foley on the “curious season” of Advent that originally appeared in The Latin Mass magazine and was subsequently posted by New Liturgical Movement.


Latin Mass Schedule: The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8, 2024)

Charlotte Area Latin Masses

  • 11:30 a.m., Saint Thomas Aquinas

  • 12:30 p.m., Saint Ann

Other Diocese of Charlotte Latin Masses

  • 8:30 a.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon)

  • 9:00 a.m., Our Lady of the Angels (Marion)

  • 1:00 p.m., Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock) [See note below]

  • 1:30 p.m., Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro)

Diocese of Charleston Latin Masses

  • 12:00 p.m., Prince of Peace (Taylors SC) [See note below]

  • 1:00 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake (Chapin SC)

Note: Church of the Epiphany and Prince of Peace will celebrate the Immaculate Conception at these churches on Monday (December 9th).


Latin Mass Schedule: Week of December 8-14

Charlotte Area Latin Masses

  • Saint Ann – Wednesday, 6:00 p.m.

  • Saint Thomas Aquinas – Thursday, 7:00 p.m. (Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Reception in Aquinas Hall following Mass).

  • Saint Ann – Friday, 7:00 a.m.

  • Saint Ann – Saturday, 6:30 a.m. (Special Rorate Mass)

Other Diocese of Charlotte Latin Masses

  • Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro) – Monday, 4:30 p.m. (Feria of Advent)

  • Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock) – Monday, 6:30 p.m. (Transferred celebration of the Immaculate Conception)

  • Our Lady of the Mountains (Highlands) – Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.

  • Saint John the Baptist (Tryon) – Friday, 8:30 a.m.

  • Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock) – Friday, 9:30 a.m.

  • Church of the Epiphany – Saturday, 6:30 a.m. (Special Rorate Mass)

Diocese of Charleston Latin Masses

  • Prince of Peace (Taylors SC) — Monday-Friday, 12:00 p.m. (Transferred celebration of the Immaculate Conception on Monday)

  • Prince of Peace (Taylors SC) — Saturday, 6:30 a.m. (Special Rorate Mass replaces regularly scheduled 8:00 a.m. Mass)

Note: The Rorate Mass is an especially beautiful candlelight celebration of the Eucharist held at dawn on a Saturday during Advent, honoring Our Lady and preparing for the coming Light of the World, the Incarnate Word, at Christmas.


Advent/Christmastide Latin Mass Schedule (as announced)

The following schedule lists special Latin Masses and other changes – in addition to those listed above for the current week – announced to date for Advent and Christmastide. Additional Masses or changes that may be announced in the weeks ahead will be posted in future Sunday newsletters or mid-week bulletins.

The full list can also be found on our website at this link.

Saturday December 21

  • 6:30 a.m., Prince of Peace (Taylors SC), Rorate Mass

Sunday December 22

  • 12:30 p.m., Saint Ann annual traditional blessing of religious objects immediately after Latin Mass.

Wednesday December 25

  • 12:00 a.m., Saint Ann, The Nativity of Our Lord: First Mass at Midnight

  • 12:00 a.m., Saint Thomas Aquinas, The Nativity of Our Lord: First Mass at Midnight

  • 12:00 a.m., Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock), The Nativity of Our Lord: First Mass at Midnight

  • 12:00 a.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon), The Nativity of Our Lord: First Mass at Midnight

  • 11:00 a.m., Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro)

  • 1:00 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake (Chapin SC)

Thursday December 26

  • 7:00 p.m., Saint Thomas Aquinas Latin Mass canceled

  • 11:00 a.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon), High Mass

Friday, December 27

  • 8:30 a.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon) Latin Mass canceled

  • 9:30 a.m., Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock) Latin Mass canceled

Saturday, December 28

  • 8:00 a.m., Saint Ann 4th Saturday Respect Life Mass canceled

Wednesday January 1

  • 12:00 a.m., Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro), Octave-Day of the Nativity (Feast of the Circumcision) at Midnight

  • 12:00 a.m., Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock), Octave-Day of the Nativity (Feast of the Circumcision) at Midnight

  • 9:00 a.m., Saint Ann, Octave-Day of the Nativity (Feast of the Circumcision) (Confessions to follow until 11:30 a.m.)

  • 6:00 p.m., Saint Ann, Latin Mass canceled

  • 6:30 p.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon), Octave-Day of the Nativity (Feast of the Circumcision)

  • 6:30 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake (Chapin SC), Octave-Day of the Nativity (Feast of the Circumcision)

Sunday January 5

  • 12:30 p.m., Saint Ann, Annual Epiphany blessing of water, chalk and salt will occur immediately after regularly scheduled Sunday Mass

Monday January 6

  • 6:00 p.m., Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock), Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord

  • 6:30 p.m., Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro), Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord

  • 6:30 p.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon), Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord (Epiphany blessing will occur prior to Mass at 6:00 p.m.)

  • 6:30 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake (Chapin SC), Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord (Including blessing of salt, oils, and water)

Note: It is customary to bless water, chalk, and salt on or around the Vigil of the Epiphany. If more blessings are announced they will be added to the above list..


Please Pray for the Repose of the Soul of Aline Cooper (1937-2024)

Thank you to those who pray (and continue to pray) for the repose of the soul of Aline Cooper, longtime Saint Ann parishioner, a dear friend to many, including the Carolina Traditional Liturgy Society. Ms. Cooper passed away on Thanksgiving Day at the age of 87 and was laid to rest on Tuesday December 3rd. Her presence and devotion will be greatly missed. Her obituary can be found at this link.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine. Et lux perpetua luceat eis. Fidelium animae, per misericordiam Dei, requiescant in pace. Amen.


Important - December 8th and 9th: Holy Days of Obligation

St. Ann pastor Fr. Timothy S. Reid reminds everyone that the Feast of the Immaculate Conception will still be celebrated in the Traditional Latin Mass on Sunday December 8 (as required in the 1962 Missal); but the U.S. Bishops, per the Novus Ordo calendar, have transferred the actual Holy Day of Obligation for the Immaculate Conception to Monday, December 9th. This means that Catholics are obligated to attend Mass on both Sunday, December 8th, and Monday December 9th. Catholic News Herald explained why in an article entitled Catholics advised: December 8 and 9 are holy days of obligation.

The only Latin Masses offered in the region on Monday December 9 are as follows:

  • Prince of Peace (Taylors SC) – 12 noon

  • Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro) – 4:30 p.m.

  • Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock) – 6:30 p.m.


Pray for Our Priests

The “Pray for Our Priests” campaign launched during the Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress came to its scheduled conclusion Saturday, November 30th, the last day of the liturgical year. As we all know, spiritual warfare between angels and demons rages continually and will go on until the end of the world described by Our Lord in the Gospel reading for this Sunday. It is our duty as Christians to help bring about the final triumph of our Triune God, and prayer is a powerful weapon at our disposal in the battle. Thanks to all those who offered their prayers on behalf of our priests: our indispensable foot-soldiers in the spiritual warfare that engulfs our world.


Announcements

Saint Ann Parish Novena to the Immaculate Conception (December 1-9) – The Saint Ann Novena to the Immaculate Conception which began December 1st will conclude December 9th (Transferred Feast of the Immaculate Conception). The prayer can be found below or downloaded at Saint Ann Parish Novena Prayer.

O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially that our parish may be consecrated to your Immaculate Heart. We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever. Amen.

Liturgy of the Land Conference, December 13-14, in Hickory NC – This two-day conference, sponsored by local publisher TAN Books and held at the Hickory Catholic Conference Center (an hour northwest of Charlotte), offers both beginners and seasoned homesteaders an opportunity to understand the intellectual, spiritual, and practical aspects of starting and growing a local, land-based Catholic culture. It will feature talks by experienced homesteaders, farmers, and craftsmen. Attendees will learn about a broad range of topics relating to homesteading, localism and ordered households. Mass and Adoration will be offered, as well as opportunities for fellowship. The conference is based on the book, Liturgy of the Land: Cultivating a Catholic Homestead, which was co-authored by local dairy farmer, Jason Craig, who attends the Latin Mass in Tryon. To learn more and register click here.

“Sister Parish” Relief Program – The Diocese of Charlotte is sponsoring a program to assist in the recovery of parishes in the western part of the state affected by Hurricane Helene. The program will partner parishes that escaped the wrath of the storm with those that sustained substantial impacts. Fr. Reid has announced that St. Ann has committed to serve as a sister parish to Saint Lucien in Spruce Pine, providing financial assistance to help cover recovery costs and to make up for the loss of collection revenue resulting from the displacement of parishioners. Initial funds for the effort were derived from second collections at the Masses celebrated on November 16th and 17th. Future collections are scheduled for December 14-15, January 4-5, February 1-2, March 1-2 and April 5-6.

Holy Face Pilgrimage, November 14-25, 2025 – Fr. Lawrence Carney, the Holy Face priest, and local author Patrick O'Hearn will be leading a Holy Face Pilgrimage next November to Malta, Sicily, and Italy, which will include a visit to Rome for the Jubilee Year. The Traditional Latin Mass will be offered and both organizers will offer talks on the Holy Face devotion. For more information click on this link.

New Prayer for Government by Fr. Ripperger – Fr. Chad Ripperger, a native of Casper, Wyoming, was a member of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter before leaving to establish a society of exorcists, the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother (Doloran Fathers). His Consecration of the Election to the Blessed Virgin Mary was featured in past issues of this newsletter. He has now composed a new prayer, Consecration of those Governing to the Blessed Virgin Mary, which may be found at the end of this update or downloaded via this link.


Holy Face Devotions

Prayers of Reparation to the Holy Face of Jesus are offered each week at the following churches on the indicated days:

  • St. James (Concord) – Monday, 10-10:30 a.m. (in the cry room)

  • St. Mark – Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.

  • St. Thomas Aquinas – Tuesday, 6:00 a.m.

  • St. Ann – Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. (following 7:00 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass)

  • St. Michael the Archangel (Gastonia) – Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. (following 8:00 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass)

  • St. Vincent de Paul – Tuesday, 8:40 a.m. (NEW)

  • Holy Spirit (Denver) – Tuesday, 10-11:00 a.m. (following the 9:15 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass)

  • St. John the Baptist (Tryon) - First Saturday, 9:30 a.m. (after 8:30 a.m Latin Mass)

“Jesus, Your ineffable image is the star which guides my steps. Ah, You know, Your sweet Face is for me Heaven on earth” (from Canticle to the Holy Face by Saint Thérèse de Lisieux, the 19th century Discalced Carmelite nun who took the name in religion, Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face).


Latin Mass and Liturgical News

  • Liturgical Notes on the Immaculate Conception by Gregory DiPippo for New Liturgical Movement looks at the historical development of the liturgy for this first-class feast since its dogmatic definition in 1854. [Liturgical Notes on the Immaculate Conception]

  • Novena and Consecration to Our Lady of Guadalupe is an invitation by Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke to participate in the final phase of his Nine-Month Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe on behalf of the Church and the world. The final phase is the nine-day novena that will culminate on December 11th and be followed by consecration to Our Lady of Guadalupe on her feast day, December 12th. The ongoing novena was preceded by a series of 18 reflections on the theme, “Return to Our Lady,” inspired by the apparition of the patroness of the Americas at Tepeyac in 1531. [Novena and Consecration to Our Lady of Guadalupe] [Eighteenth Reflection - November 25]

  • Another Look Inside the Restored Notre-Dame de Paris is a recent article by Greg DiPippo for New Liturgical Movement offering his analysis of the restoration of the Notre-Dame Cathedral as reported by 60 Minutes which had an exclusive look at the refurbished crown jewel of Paris. [Another Look Inside the Restored Notre-Dame de Parish]

  • ‘Tis the Season of…Penance? Advent Isn’t Advent Without It, is a column by Matthew McDonald of the National Catholic Register looking into the penitential nature of Advent and some of the history and past disciplines of this liturgical season. [‘This the Season of…Penance?]

  • The Feast of Saint Barbara, by Greg DiPippo in New Liturgical Movement examines the life and historicity of the 3rd century saint and one of the 14 Holy Helpers whose feast day was commemorated in the ancient calendar this past Wednesday December 4. [The Feast of Saint Barbara]

  • Votive Mass for a Happy Death, published recently in The Missive, describes the special Mass celebrated by Fr. William Rock, FSSP, at the request of a seminarian-server on a feria day during the 2024 FSSP North American Study Days in September. Gregory DiPippo, editor of New Liturgical Movement, was one of the principal speakers at the annual meeting of members of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. [Votive Mass for a Happy Death]

  • The Oblate Vocation, a video series published by the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (ICKSP), explains the Oblate vocation within their community. The ICKSP, a religious order that offers/follows the Traditional Latin Mass, has three vocational states: Canons (priests), Clerical Oblates (who serve as assistants to priests), and Sisters (Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus). This new video series (updated each week) provides excellent background on the oblates and ICKSP. [The Oblate Vocation]

  • The Reign of Christ the King, is a book review posted in Rorae Caeli about the recently republished classic, The Reign by Christ the King by the 20th century Jesuit, Fr. Joseph Husslein, SJ and recently republished by Arouca Press. The book unpackages Pope Pius XI’s 1925 encyclical Quas Primas, on the Kingship of Christ (which turns 99 years old this Wednesday December 11). [The Reign of Christ the King]

  • The Power of Prepositions, the latest in Dr. Michael P. Foley’s series entitled Lost in Translation published by New Liturgical Movement, examines the use of certain prepositions in the Nicene Creed which give deeper theological meaning of the words found in the Latin text. [The Power of Prepositions]

  • Thanksgiving as a Catholic Feast, Not a Catholic First, is piece by Claudio Salvucci in Liturgical Arts Journal which proposes that, despite its founding by protestants, America’s Thanksgiving holiday could compliment and fulfill the petitions of a fruitful harvest made during the spring’s Rogation Day Masses, which can be found found in the Traditional Latin Mass calendar during April and May. [Thanksgiving as a Catholic Feast, Not a Catholic First]


Saints and Special Observances

Our Lady of Guadalupe first appeared to Juan Diego on December 9, 1531, according to the Julian Calendar (Old Style) since displaced by the Gregorian Calendar (New Style). The latter skipped nine days to restore the proper alignment of the calendar with the natural seasons of the year. Our Lady’s last apparition at Tepeyac occurred on December 12, 1531 (OS). First declared the patroness of New Spain by Pope Benedict XIV in 1754, the celebration of her feast on December 12th was authorized by Pope Leo XIII on October 12, 1895. In his first pastoral letter, dated May 28, 1792, Bishop John Carroll of Baltimore – the first and, at that time, the only see in the newly established United States – placed the new nation under the protection of the Mother of God. She has since that time been recognized as the patroness of our country. Our Lady of Guadalupe was granted the title, “Patroness of the Americas,” by Pope John Paul II in 2000. The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe, as told by Francesca Merlo for Vatican News, may be read by making use of the following link: The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Vatican News.


Closing Commentary

As Advent begins its second week, we look back on the first week and share a closing commentary extracted from The Liturgical Year by the great 19th century Benedictine liturgist, Dom Prosper Guéranger. Taken from his entries for the first week in Advent (which just concluded), these passages can draw us closer to the true meaning of this important penitential season of preparation. Each is preceded by a question we pose and followed by a link to the full commentary from which the passage is extracted.


Is Advent Penitential?

We must look upon Advent in two different lights: first, as a time of preparation, properly so called, for the birth of our Saviour, by works of penance: and secondly, as a series of ecclesiastical Offices drawn up for the same purpose. We find, as far back as the fifth century, the custom of giving exhortations to the people in order to prepare them for the feast of Christmas. We have two sermons of Saint Maximus of Turin on this subject, not to speak of several others which were formerly attributed to St Ambrose and St. Augustine, but which were probably written by St. Cesarius of Aries. If these documents do not tell us what was the duration and what the exercises of this holy season, they at least show us how ancient was the practice of distinguishing the time of Advent by special sermons . . . .

The oldest document in which we find the length and exercises of Advent mentioned with anything like clearness, is a passage in the second book of the History of the Franks by St. Gregory of Tours, where he says that St. Perpetuus, one of his predecessors, who held that see about the year 480, had decreed a fast three times a week, from the feast of St. Martin until Christmas. It would be impossible to decide whether St. Perpetuus, by his regulations, established a new custom, or merely enforced an already existing law. Let us, however, note this interval of forty, or rather of forty-three days, so expressly mentioned, and consecrated to penance, as though it were a second Lent, though less strict and severe than that which precedes Easter. [History of Advent]


What do the Four Weeks of Advent Symbolize?

[S]hould this first day of December be a simple Feria of Advent, we will do well to begin at once our considerations upon the preparations which were made for the merciful Coming of the Saviour of the world. Four thousand years of expectation preceded that Coming, and they are expressed by the four weeks of Advent, which we must spend before we come to the glorious festivity of our Lord’s Nativity. Let us reflect upon the holy impatience of the Saints of the Old Testament, and how they handed down, from age to age, the grand hope which was to be but hope to them since they were not to see it realized. [First Day of December]


What does the state of nature in December tell us about Advent?

We will today consider the state of nature at this season of the year. The earth is stripped of her wonted verdure, the flowers are gone, the fruits are fallen, the leaves are torn from the trees and scattered by the wind, and every living thing stiffens with the cold. It seems as though the hand of death had touched creation. We see the sun rise after the long night of his absence; and scarce have we felt his warmth at noon, than he sets again, and leaves us in the chilly darkness. Each day he shortens his visit. Is the world to become sunless, and men to live out the rest of life in gloom?

The old pagans, who witnessed this struggle between light and darkness, and feared the sun was going to leave them, dedicated the twenty-fifth day of December, which was the winter solstice, to the worship of the sun. After this day, their hopes revived, in seeing the glorious luminary again mounting up in the sky, and gradually regaining his triumphant position.

We Christians can have no such feelings as these; our light is the true faith, which tells us that there is a Sun to be sought for which never sets, and is never eclipsed. Having Him, we care little for the absence of any other brightness; nay, all other light, without Him, can only lead us astray. O Jesus! thou true light, that enlightenest every man coming into this world! thou didst choose, for thy birth among us, a time of the year which forces us to reflect upon the miserable state of the world when thou didst come to save it. “The evening was coming on, and the day was far spent,” says St. Bernard: “the Sun of Justice had all but set, so that exceeding scanty was his light or warmth on earth: for the light of divine knowledge was very faint, and, sin abounding, the heat of charity had grown cold. [Feast of Bibiana (December 2nd)]


What was the condition of the human race in 1 B.C.?

Let us consider the wretched condition of the human race, at the time of Christ’s coming into the world. The diminution of truth (Psalms 11:2) is emphatically expressed by the little light, which the earth enjoys at this season of the year. The ancient traditions are gradually becoming extinct; the Creator is not acknowledged, even in the very work of his hands; everything has been made God, except the God who made all things. This frightful Pantheism produces the vilest immorality, both in society at large, and in individuals. There are no rights acknowledged, save that of might. Lust, avarice, and theft, are honored by men in the gods of their altars. There is no such thing as Family, for divorce and infanticide are legalized; mankind is degraded by a general system of slavery; nations are being exterminated by endless wars. The human race is in the last extreme of misery; and unless the hand that created it reform it, it must needs sink a prey to crime and bloodshed.

There are indeed some few just men still left upon the earth, and they struggle against the torrent of universal degradation; but they cannot save the world; the world despises them, and God will not accept their merits as a palliation of the hideous leprosy which covers the earth. All flesh has corrupted its way, and is more guilty than even in the days of the deluge: and yet, a second destruction of the universe would be manifest anew the justice of God; it is time that a deluge of his divine mercy should flood the universe, and that He who made man should come down and heal him. [Feast of Saint Francis Xavier (December 3)]


What is that soft light on the horizon?

At length, on the distant horizon, rises, with a soft and radiant light, the aurora of the Sun which has been so long desired. The happy Mother of the Messias was to be born before the Messias himself; and this is the day of the Conception of Mary. The earth already possesses a first pledge of the divine mercy; the Son of Man is near at hand. Two true Israelites, Joachim and Anne, noble branches of the family of David, find their union, after a long barrenness, made fruitful by the divine omnipotence. Glory be to God, who has been mindful of his promises, and who deigns to announce, from the high heavens, the end of the deluge of iniquity, by sending upon the earth the sweet white Dove that bears the tidings of peace! [Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8)]