Guide to the Novena to the Immaculate Conception of Mary

What is the meaning of the Immaculate Conception?

Before we dive into the novena to the Immaculate Conception, it is essential to understand the meaning of the Immaculate Conception. 

The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was proclaimed as dogma by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854, by means of the papal bull Ineffabilis Deuswhich declares that the Virgin Mary was free from original sin from the first moment of her conception through the merits of her son Jesus Christ.

Spain played a decisive role in the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, mainly due to the deep devotion that the country has always had towards the Virgin Mary, especially under the invocation of the Immaculate Conception.

"The Blessed Virgin Mary was preserved immune from every stain of original guilt from the first moment of her conception by the singular grace and privilege of almighty God, in view of the merits of Christ Jesus, Savior of the human race," Bull. Ineffabilis Deus.

Our Lady wanted to accompany this proclamation, before and after, in the apparitions to St. Catherine Labouré in Rue du Bac in Paris, to Alphonse Ratisbonne in Rome, to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, and to the little shepherds in Fatima.

1. Saint Catherine Labouré (1830 - Rue du Bac, Paris): During the apparitions to Catherine, Our Lady presented her with the design of the Miraculous Medal, which included the image of the Immaculate Conception surrounded by the inscription "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you".
2. Alphonse Ratisbonne (1842 - Rome): In the vision of Ratisbonne, he experienced a profound conversion to Catholicism after seeing the Virgin Mary in the church of St. Andrew in Rome under the invocation of the Miraculous Medal.
3. Saint Bernadette (1858 - Lourdes): At Lourdes, the Virgin Mary identified herself as the Immaculate Conception during the apparitions to St. Bernadette Soubirous.
4. Saints Jacinta and Francisco and the Venerable Sister Lucia (1917 - 1917 - 1917) Fatima): at FatimaThe Virgin Mary urged prayer and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as the means to obtain peace.

St. Maximilian Kolbe, founder of the Militias of the Immaculate Conception and martyr in Auschwitz, developed the theology of the created Immaculate Conception and the uncreated Immaculate Conception. The first refers to the original grace conferred on the Virgin Mary at the moment of her conception, assuring her immunity to original sin from the first moment of her existence. The second refers to the Holy Spirit, as the eternal immaculate conception proceeding from the Love between the Father and the Son, and which, as the spouse of the Virgin, confers on Mary to be the mediator of all Graces. His legacy highlights the importance of the Immaculate Conception in Catholic spirituality and the unconditional surrender to the divine will.

In 1954 Pope Pius XII proclaimed a Marian Year in the universal Church, to celebrate the centenary of the dogmatic definition of the Immaculate Conception. 

Devotion to the Immaculate Conception of Mary offers all of us a model of holiness in the figure of Mary. By honoring her purity and drawing inspiration from her life as an example of obedience and surrender to God's will. 

The custom of the novena to the Immaculate Conception

The ninthfrom Latin novemconsists of praying for nine consecutive days to entrust an intention or ask for a particular grace to God through the Blessed Virgin Mary. This custom of praying the novena to the Immaculate Conception is a way to prepare ourselves interiorly for the feast of the Immaculate Conception during the nine previous days. You can attend mass, pray the Holy Rosary or other Marian devotions, the most important thing is to live it personally. 

The Immaculate Conception is such a great mystery that nine days are not enough to contemplate it! However, the time dedicated to the novena to the Immaculate Conception allows our hearts to prepare to joyfully celebrate the first great Marian feast of the liturgical year. This novena to the Immaculate Conception, which has been encouraged and blessed by the Church, is prayed, each year throughout the world, from November 30 to December 8.

Nine ideas for living the Immaculate Conception Novena 2023

To live this novena, we suggest that you meditate daily on the Gospel. St. Josemaría advised you to put more effort into assiduous conversation with our Lady, with a delicate care in the prayerWe are also trying to live small details of affection with her.

One always goes to Jesus and returns to Him through Mary. (St. Josemaría, The Way, 495).

We recommend the following guide with the help of some ideas that come from St. Josemaría's and Pope Francis' affection for our Lady, can help you prepare for the days leading up to the feast of the Immaculate Conception. 

Day 1 - The Annunciation: We reflect on the moment when the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the Mother of the Savior.

Day 2 - The Visitation: we meditate on Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth and the joy she brought with her.

Day 3 - The Nativity of Mary: We celebrate the birth of the Virgin Mary and her importance in the history of redemption.

Day 4 - The Presentation of Mary in the temple: we consider the act of presenting Mary in the temple as a symbol of consecration.

Day 5 - The Perpetual Virginity of Mary: we reflect on Mary's commitment to perpetual virginity.

Day 6 - Mary, Mirror of Justice: we contemplate Mary as a model of virtue and justice.

Day 7 - Mary, Refuge of Sinners: we approach Mary in search of refuge and forgiveness.

Day 8 - Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth: we recognize Mary's kingship in the divine family.

Day 9 - Immaculate Conception: We celebrate the central dogma, Mary's conception without original sin.

May this novena to the Immaculate Conception be a path of grace and blessings for all!