The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8 throughout the Universal Church. Beginning at paragraph 491, the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains it this way: "Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, 'full of grace' through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception. That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Pope Pius IX proclaimed in 1854: 'The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.' -Ineffabilis Deus"
Mother of Holy Hope was written by Fr. Lucien Deiss C.S.Sp. (1921-2007). It was first published in 1965 as part of the collection: Biblical Hymns and Psalms, Volume 1. Besides writing many hymns honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Reverend Deiss also authored the book:
Mary, Daughter of Sion (Liturgical Press, 1972), which reflects upon the life of Mary as a Daughter of Abraham. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Mother of Holy Hope is used in the Commons of the Blessed Virgin Mary and on the Feast of the Assumption.
MARY IMMACULATE, STAR OF THE MORNING by F. W. Wetherell (Public Domain)
1. Mary Immaculate, Star of the morning,
Chosen before the creation began,
Chosen to bring, for Thy bridal adorning,
Woe to the serpent and rescue to man.
2. Here in an orbit of shadow and sadness,
Veiling Thy splendor, Thy course Thou hast run;
Now Thou art throned in All glory and gladness,
Crowned by the hand of the Savior and Son.
3. Sinners, we honor Thy sinless perfection;
Fallen and weak, for Thy pity we lead;
Grant us the shield of Thy Sovereign protection,
Measure Thine aid by the depth of our need.
4. Bend from Thy throne At the voice of our crying,
Bend to this earth which Thy footsteps have trod;
Stretch out Thine arms to us, Living and dying,
Mary Immaculate, Mother of God.
Joy to You was written by Fr. Lucien Deiss, C.S.Sp. It was first published in 1970 as part of the collection: Biblical Hymns and Psalms, Volume II. It was also featured on a recording by Fr. Deiss called Joy to You, Mother of the Lord: 12 Songs in Honor of Our Lady. Fr. Deiss was very involved in liturgical renewal during Vatican II. His efforts to compose new hymns of devotion to Our Lady corresponded to the issuing of several important theological Papal documents following Vatican II concerning the renewal and reaffirmation of the role of Mary in the Church. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Joy to You is used on the Feast Day of Mary, the Mother of God and on the Feast of the Assumption.
