Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Feast of the Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Spanish: Nuestra Señora de la Expectación) was a Catholic Feast that was originally celebrated in Spain, but started to be celebrated in other Catholic countries.^[1] It is not on the universal calendar, but is still commemorated on December 18 in some places such as Spain, Portugal, Italy and Poland as well as in a few religious orders. The Dominicans honor Mary under the title of "Our Lady of the Expectation".^[2]

Our Lady of the Expectation, multi-coloured wood statue, 16th century. Museum of Santa Cruz, Toledo, Spain.

History

The feast owes its origin to the bishops of the tenth Council of Toledo, in 656.^[3] The accompanying of the expectant mother of Jesus became a prominent theme that spread throughout the Iberian Peninsula and Italy during the Middle Ages.^[4] A High Mass was sung at a very early hour each morning during the octave, and it became customary that all who were with child would attend, that they might honor Our Lady's Maternity, and seek a blessing upon themselves.^[5] "The feast heightens the anticipation of Christmas and makes the last few days of Advent unique opportunities to meditate on what Mary must have been pondering in her heart."^[6] It is sometimes joined with a novena beginning on December 16 and ending on Christmas Eve.

See also

• Annunciation
• Rorate Mass