abstract:The Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrates belief in the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is universally celebrated on December 8, nine months before the feast of the Nativity of Mary, which is celebrated on September 8.
This year, the unions and business association chose to move the holiday on Dec. 6 celebrating the approval ofthe country's constitution following a four-decade dictatorship to a Monday rather than risk angering the church again by shifting the public holiday on Dec. 8, theFeastoftheImmaculateConception.