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December 6, 2015"Queen of peace, pray for us! Our gaze is directed toward you in great fear, to you do we turn with ever-more insistent faith in these times marked by many uncertainties and fears for the present and future of our planet.
Together we lift our confident and sorrowful petition to you, the first fruit of humanity redeemed by Christ, finally freed from the slavery of evil and sin: hear the cry of the pain of victims of war and so many forms of violence that bloody the earth. Clear away the darkness of sorrow and worry, of hate and vengeance. Open up our minds and hearts to faith and forgiveness!
Mother of mercy and hope:
Help every human being of every race and culture to find and embrace Jesus, who came to earth in the mystery of Christmas to give us 'His' peace.Mary, Queen of peace, give us Christ, true peace in the world!"
- Prayer of Pope John Paul II, December 8, 2003
The Immaculate Conception, a solemnity, is the patronal feast of the United States. It is one of the few Holy days of obligation on the Church calendar -- that is, all Catholics are obligated to attend Mass on this day. As this feast occurs early in Advent, it is a perfect time to consider Mary and her important role in the celebration of Christmas.
PLEASE NOTE: The Diocesan Office Building, located at One Cathedral Square, Providence, will be closed for the Holy Day, December 8th. We will reopen December 9th.
Find a Mass near you for today.
Readings for today.
(Picture: Jean Bellegambe, Saint Anne conceiving the Virgin Mary)
