Immacolata Concezione   -   8 december

 

  • The “Immacolata Concezione” of Maria Jesus Mother was declared in 1854 by the Pope Pio IX
  • But the history of devotion about Maria Immacolata is more ancient

 

 

 

 
  • In 1830 Maria God Mother became visible to santa Caterina Labouré: this was the first miracle
  • After She became visible to santa Bernadette in Lourdes and She said: “I’m the Immacolata Concezione”

 

 

A philosophical problem:

  • What is the Immaculate Conception ?
  • How could we define philosophically “conception”?
  • “Conception” consists of conceiving being pure and giving birth to a child being intact and virgin

 

 

 

 
  • Maria is God Mother and God daugther (San Bernardo di Chiaravalle)
  • Also Dante Alighieri in the masterpiece “Divina Commedia” wrote that Maria is “her  son daughter”
  • God Mother is without original sin: this is the dogma of the “Immacolata Concezione”

 

Italian traditions:

  • The Pope every year goes to Spain Stairs in Rome and blesses Maria’ s statue
  • People go to high mass and after prepare the crèche and the Christmas tree
  • The italian State recognizes the 8 december as national feast

 

 

 

 

Typical food of 8 december

  • Panettone (Milanese cake)
  • Torrone (kind of nougat)
  • Panforte of Siena (honey biscuits )
  • Panpepato of Rome (type of italian cake)
  • Mostaccioli of Calabria (almond  biscuits ) 
  • Cassata of Sicily ( ricotta cheese and candied fruit)