Question
Question
Each year the Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Mother seems to be celebrated no matter what. But some years it is on December 9. Why such importance?
--Concerned in Columbus
Answer
Answer
In the United States of America, the Immaculate Conception is the patronal feast of the country and this is why it is always celebrated, especially as a Holy Day of Obligation. The particular day for the solemnity is December 8. However, when December 8 is a Sunday, the solemnity is moved to December 9 and Monday. Sundays of Advent rank higher than the solemnity. This was emended in 1990 in Novitae, the official publication of the Congregation for the Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments.