Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Italy
Quick Facts
Immaculate Conception Day is a nationwide holiday in Italy on December 8 that celebrates the belief that Jesus’ mother Mary is “free of sin”.Local names
| Name | Language |
|---|---|
| Immacolata | Italian |
| Feast of the Immaculate Conception | English |
Feast of the Immaculate Conception 2013
Sunday, December 8, 2013Feast of the Immaculate Conception 2014
Monday, December 8, 2014List of dates for other years
The feast of the Immaculate Conception (L'Immacolata Concezione) is an Italian public holiday celebrated annually on December 8. The day commemorates when Mary, the mother of Jesus, was graced by God to lead a life “free of sin” according to Catholic belief.
Jesus' mother Mary is honored on L'Immacolata Concezione, held on December 8 in Italy.
©iStockphoto.com/Todd Arbini
What do people do?
Immaculate Conception Day is a day when many Italians attend a church mass to honor Mary, whom they believe is immaculate, or “free from sin”. One of the highlights is a celebration led by the Catholic pope in Rome, who kneels in prayer and lays a floral wreath on the statue of the Madonna at the Piazza Mignanelli. In some places there is street entertainment by jugglers and street clowns for the public.
Public life
The feast of the Immaculate Conception is a nationwide public holiday in Italy. Organizations and businesses that are closed include:
- Government offices.
- Post offices.
- Banks.
- Schools and other educational institutions.
Many shops are open at this time of the year for people to start their Christmas shopping. Transport options, such as taxis, rail services between major cities and major long-route bus lines, are available but travelers are advised to check routes and timetables with the local transport authorities.
Background
The celebration of the Immaculate Conception can be traced back to when the Vatican officially declared the feast on December 8, 1854. This holiday is celebrated in some other countries worldwide.
Symbols
Many shops in Italy sell paintings, statues, relics and other types of artwork related to Mary, Jesus’ mother, also referred to as the Virgin Mary.
About Feast of the Immaculate Conception in other countries
Read more about Feast of the Immaculate Conception.Feast of the Immaculate Conception Observances
| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat | Dec 8 | 1990 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Sun | Dec 8 | 1991 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Tue | Dec 8 | 1992 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Wed | Dec 8 | 1993 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Thu | Dec 8 | 1994 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Fri | Dec 8 | 1995 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Sun | Dec 8 | 1996 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Mon | Dec 8 | 1997 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Tue | Dec 8 | 1998 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Wed | Dec 8 | 1999 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Fri | Dec 8 | 2000 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Sat | Dec 8 | 2001 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Sun | Dec 8 | 2002 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Mon | Dec 8 | 2003 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Wed | Dec 8 | 2004 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Thu | Dec 8 | 2005 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Fri | Dec 8 | 2006 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Sat | Dec 8 | 2007 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Mon | Dec 8 | 2008 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Tue | Dec 8 | 2009 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Wed | Dec 8 | 2010 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Thu | Dec 8 | 2011 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Sat | Dec 8 | 2012 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Sun | Dec 8 | 2013 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Mon | Dec 8 | 2014 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Tue | Dec 8 | 2015 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Thu | Dec 8 | 2016 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Fri | Dec 8 | 2017 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Sat | Dec 8 | 2018 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Sun | Dec 8 | 2019 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
| Tue | Dec 8 | 2020 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | National holiday |
Other holidays in December 2013 in Italy
- Christmas Day ―Wednesday, December 25, 2013
- St. Stephen's Day ―Thursday, December 26, 2013
- New Year's Eve ―Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Other calendars
- Perpetual yearly calendar - make yearly calendar for any year
- Perpetual monthly calendar - shows only one month at a time
- Custom calendar - make customized calendars