Celebrating Christmas in Italy Part III: The Immacolata
Posted on: Dec 8, 2008
The Christmas season may be in full swing in other places throughout the world, but for those of us in Italy … TODAY is the day.
In case you missed it, we are smack dab in the middle of a Four-Part Series on Celebrating Christmas in Italy. Here are Part I and Part II. However, Part III just may be the most important of all.
Today Italians kick off the holiday season by celebrating L’Immacolata, or rather the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.
photo credit: tomsaint11
You might be interested to note that it is the conception OF Mary, not Mary’s conception of Jesus that Catholics celebrate on this day.
According to FishEaters.Com the day refers to the conception of Mary in her mother, Saint Anne, by Mary’s father, Saint Joachim. The reason her conception is immaculate isn’t because she was conceived by the Holy Spirit like Jesus was, but because she has been filled with the grace of God since her conception.
My blogging buddy and real-life-friend Michelle, of Bleeding Espresso posted videos of Immaculate Conception celebrations throughout Italy in her column Guarda! on ItalyMag. Go check ‘em out and Happy Immacolata!
Buona Immacolata! Hah. That sounds sacrireligious, but I mean well
Buone feste back to you. Hope you decorated today!
michelle of bleeding espresso’s last blog post..why i love il farmacista in italy
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ha. Michelle. Ladies what do you say on this day? This is all new to me.
GOOD Q! I don’t think you say anything special for the day. You could start saying “buone feste” b/c today starts the holiday season, I think!!
nyc/carribbean ragazza’s last blog post..Immaculate Conception.
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You say, “Let’s go do this or that…” because other than going to church and dragging out the decorations, there doesn’t seem to be much else going on.
I was thinking about driving to the sea for lunch but remembered I need to deliver baked goods so recipients can freeze them if they like.
This kind of gift is so unusual here, my neighbor asked why I don’t bring them on Christmas Day. When I said I couldn’t make this much stuff all on the Eve, lightbulb visibly lit up.
HA! That is funny. Instead of baking fresh stuff you could take them a store-bought pandoro or panettone like everyone else does! lol
Judith in Umbria’s last blog post..Christmas cooking 2008
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I was born on the *other* Immaculate Conception day.
Hmm… I wonder if that makes *this* day another holiday for you?!? Mah!
My Melange’s last blog post..Interview and Book Giveaway : The Paris Apartment
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My mom says I was named after Mary and her mother Ann, and a lot of grace was thrown in because God knew I’d need it! haha
Enjoying your holiday posts!
Thanks, Maryann. That is a great story about your name, too. My cousin’s little girl’s middle name is anne-marie, but I doubt for the same reason!!
maryann’s last blog post..Seven Fishes Feast-A Food Blogger Event
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I’ve been enjoying your posts on how Italians celebrate Christmas.
I got engaged 29 years ago today. Wow, I’m old.
There is an old country song from when I was in college that says “good love is like fine wine… keeps getting better as the days go by!” You aren’t old. Your love is refined!
Nadine’s last blog post..What’s Your Passion?
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These posts are awesome Cherrye!
I guess this means we can technically start saying Buon Natale!! 
Buone Feste, Buon Natale, and all that great stuff!!
I KNOW! I feel like I should have jingle bells playing in the background! lol
LuLu’s last blog post..Feast of the Immaculate Conception
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Buone feste, Cherrye! You inspired me to attend mass tonight. Awesome posts.
Grazie ancora for the gifts you sent, the only thing left to consume is the coffee.
I can’t believe how hot the peperoncino jam was, but delicious.
Ah, thanks, Carole. That is so sweet. I am glad you liked all of the Calabrian goodies. I know you are from Sicily, but hey, we are cousins, right?!?
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[...] can check out the entire series here, with Celebrating Christmas in Italy, The Feast of the Immacolata and Southern Italian Christmas Day [...]