The Immaculate Heart of Mary

Feast Day: June 8

The Immaculate Heart of Mary is a Catholic devotion which honors the spiritual heart of the Virgin Mary, who was free from sin and wholly devoted to God. The Catholic Church has promoted this devotion for centuries and it is based in Scripture, especially the gospels of John and Luke.

The Church honors the Immaculate Heart of Mary on June 8 with the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Since Mary is the patroness of the Diocese of Jefferson City under this title, we are able to celebrate this as a feast. Often, the bishop moves the celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to the nearest Sunday, so more of the faithful can participate in the feast.

Here at The National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church, we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and welcome you to our liturgy. You can review our upcoming events by clicking here.

The Church has honored the Immaculate Heart of Mary in its official calendar since the 19th century. In 1969, Pope Paul VI moved moved the celebration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to the Saturday immediately after the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We recognize the close love between Mary and her Son, Jesus, for all humanity.

So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.

Luke 2:16-19

Every pope in modern times has consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, following a request given by Mary when she appeared at Fatima in 1917. Pope Francis renewed the consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Oct. 13, 2013 in Rome, as part of the Marian Day celebration that involved the iconic statue of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima.

Faithful who practice devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary seek to deepen their relationship with Mary through prayer, consecration, and acts of faith and love.

Please remember to visit our events page here at The National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church, so that you can celebrate the Immaculate Heart of Mary with us. You can review our upcoming events by clicking here.