The Feast of the Immaculate Conception 2018

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Truly is is fitting and just, right and profitable to salvation, that we should give Thee thanks always and everywhere, o Lord, Holy Father, almighty and everlasting God; for we recall the day of the most honorable Conception, on which the most glorious Mother of God, the pure Virgin Mary, the bright and wondrous star, was conceived unto the world; who opened for us the door of eternal life, which Eve had closed in paradise, and called us back from darkness to the joys of the ancient light. Through the same Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise, the Archangels venerate, the Thrones, Dominations, Virtues, Principalities, Powers adore Thy majesty, whom also the Cherubim and Seraphim, praise with voices united; among whom we beseech that Thou also command our voices to be admitted, saying with humble confession. Holy… (The Ambrosian Preface for the feast of the Immaculate Conception.)

The Trinity and the Immaculate Conception, by Benvenuto Tisi da Garofalo, 1528-36. Prominent among the Doctors of the Church to either side of the Virgin Mary are Ss Augustine and Bernard on the left, Ss Ambrose and Jerome on the right.

Vere quia dignum et iustum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi sempre et ubique gratias agere, Domine, Sancte Pater, omnipotens aeterne Deus. Recensemus enim praeclarissimae Conceptionis diem, quo gloriosissima Dei Genitrix, intemerata Virgo Maria, stella corusca et admirabilis, mundo concepta est. Quae nobis perennis vitae ianuam, quam Eva in Paradiso clauserat, reseravit: nosque de tenebris ad lucis antiquae gaudia revocavit. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Per quem maiestatem tuam laudant Angeli, venerantur Archangeli, Throni, Dominationes, Virtutes, Principates, et Potestates adorant. Quem Cherubim et Seraphim socia exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti iubeas, deprecamur, supplici confessione dicentes: Sanctus…