Under this title, Mary is the Patroness of the United States of America. That is why we have a National Shrine in Washington, DC dedicated to Our Lady under this title. Here is a link to the Shrine: National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. If you are ever in Washington, visit this shrine which hosts at least 70 chapels dedicated to Mary under various titles.
December 8 is also a special day in the town of Agana, Guam where Mary is honored in a very special way. The feast day there pre-dates the one on mainland USA. Guam was colonized by the Spanish after a zealous Spanish Jesuit, St. Diego San Vitores died trying to bring Christianity to the people of Guam who are called Chomorros. After the people accepted Christianity, a statue of Mary was found floating in the Pacific Ocean off Guam's coast. The statue was brought ashore and is now enshrined in the Cathedral of Dulce Nombre de Maria (Sweet Name of Mary) in Agana.
Guam was occupied on December 7, 1941 the same day as the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Guamanians lived through some terrible times during World War II. However their faith helped them survive and to thrive.
As we know the title "Immaculate Conception" refers to the fact that Mary, of all creatures, was conceived free of original sin from the moment of her conception.
We ask through Mary Immaculate's intercession graces for our country, for ourselves, and for protection for our American men and women serving in the armed forces--especially those in harm's way.
1 comment:
Thank you for this lovely post!
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