Bishop Deeley Celebrates Mass of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception at the Cathedral

Bishop Robert Deeley was the celebrant for Mass on December 8 in honor of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, commemorating the day that Mary was conceived, free from original sin. The Mass was held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, of which Mary is the patron saint.

“Let us remind ourselves of what we celebrate today. The Immaculate Conception means that Mary, from the first moment of her existence, was totally free from the influence of that universal sinfulness, original sin, which touches us all from the time we are born,” Bishop Deeley said in his homily. “The reason which is behind this teaching of the Church of the Immaculate Conception is that only a totally sinless condition was fitting for the Son of God in his becoming a human being.”

Although it was long believed by many Christians that Mary, who was to be the Mother of God, was conceived without sin, it was not 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."

One of five holy days of obligation during the Liturgical year, masses were held at parishes throughout the state of Maine. Catholic schools took part in the celebration, as well. All Saints Catholic School in Bangor continued its tradition of prayer and service, holding a “Baby Shower for Mary” this morning. Along with a Mass at St. John Church, students placed donations collected for Shepherd’s Godparent Home by the statue of Mary. These donations were then delivered to the organization which provides a free, residential shelter for young women who are pregnant and in crisis.

“Mary is an instrument that God uses to reconcile people to himself. In contrast we, rather than being reconcilers, can at times be the cause of sin and pain in other people’s lives by our words and actions,” said Bishop Deeley. “Mary’s example of faith and action calls us to be like her, people of wholeness and healing.”