8 December, Feast of the Immaculate Conception

During the session of 4 February 1834, the members of the first Conference adopted several proposals. Prévost asked that the Conference be placed under the patronage of Saint Vincent de Paul, and Frédéric Ozanam in turn requested that a decision be taken to place the Conference under the protection of the Virgin Mary and to celebrate one of her feasts, the feast of the Immaculate Conception; since then, we have been entrusted to the patronage of the Immaculate Virgin.

Precisely to place ourselves at the feet of the Virgin, the first rule of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, drafted at the beginning of December 1835, was proclaimed at the general assembly of 8 December, the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Since then, this feast has been part of the “liturgical ceremonies” included in our current statutes and rule, and it is one of the liturgical celebrations considered especially significant for Vincentians.

The Immaculate Conception, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, is the truth of faith affirming that Mary was preserved from original sin from the first moment of her conception. This dogma, proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1854, highlights the unique purity and holiness of Mary, chosen by God to be the Mother of his Son. The Miraculous Medal worn by Vincentians is therefore also a reminder of this profound truth and of Mary’s special role in the plan of salvation.

The Council International General asks members around the world to pray today and to present to the Most Holy Virgin, as mediatrix, one personal intention and another general intention for peace in the world. A prayer is also requested for the growth of the Conferences, so that they do not forget that they are born from friendship and the Love of God, and that our mission is to proclaim the Gospel by living the faith in service to our brothers and sisters who suffer most.