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Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, celebrates the sinless lifespan and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 8 December, nine months before the feast of the Nativity of Mary, celebrated on 8 September. It is one of the most important Marian feasts in the liturgical calendar.
By Pontifical decree, it is the patronal feast day of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Italy, Korea, Nicaragua, Paraguay, the Philippines, Spain, the United States, and Uruguay.
Since 1953, the Pope visits the Column of the Immaculate Conception in the Piazza id Spagna to offer expiatory prayers commemorating the solemn event.
The feast was first solemnized as a Holy day of obligation on 6 December 1708 under the Papal Bull Commissi Nobis Divinitus by Pope Clement XI and is often celebrated with Catholic Mass, parades, fireworks, processions, food, and cultural festivities in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.