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Second Week of Advent

First Light

Tuesday, December 8, 2026

Solemnity · The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

First Light for Tuesday, December 8, 2026. You can scroll the whole Hour, or use Prayer space. Light is shorter.

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About today

The Church believes that Mary, from the first moment of her conception, was preserved from original sin by the merits of her Son. The solemnity on 8 December, patronal feast of the United States, is not about her apart from Christ: it is grace beforehand, the first work of the Redeemer in the one who would say yes. Prepared, she is still the handmaid. Ask today for a clean heart, and for a nation placed under her protection to become more worthy of it.

Original – Prayer on Fire.

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary — Choose how you want to pray this hour:

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening

Lord, open my lips. And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

Psalm I

Antiphon

Mary, preserved in grace, prepare our hearts for the coming of your Son.

Psalm 24 (23):7–10

Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

Psalm

Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. And the King of Glory shall enter. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord who is strong and powerful; the Lord powerful in battle. Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. And the King of Glory shall enter. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of virtue. He himself is the King of Glory.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon

Mary, preserved in grace, prepare our hearts for the coming of your Son.

First Reading

Genesis 3:9–15

Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

And the Lord God called Adam and said to him: “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard your voice in Paradise, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and so I hid myself.” He said to him, “Then who told you that you were naked, if you have not eaten of the tree from which I instructed you that you should not eat?” And Adam said, “The woman, whom you gave to me as a companion, gave to me from the tree, and I ate.” And the Lord God said to the woman, “Why have you done this?” And she responded, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” And the Lord God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, you are cursed among all living things, even the wild beasts of the earth. Upon your breast shall you travel, and the ground shall you eat, all the days of your life. I will put enmities between you and the woman, between your offspring and her offspring. She will crush your head, and you will lie in wait for her heel.”

Intentions

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Shared by the community

For Mary and Dewey as they prepare for their upcoming wedding, may the Holy Spirit be with them and help grow their love for one another through Holy Matrimony.

R. Lord, have mercy.

For the poor and the forgotten, that Christ’s friends may serve them with joy.

R. Lord, have mercy.

Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Closing prayer

Father of glory, you raised the lowly and crowned your saints. On this The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, keep us faithful until you gather us into the same joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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