The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
December 8 marks the ninth anniversary of The Market Monitor: Minding the Nation’s Business, one of the most sought-after business newspapers, offering a different view of the latest financial developments in the Philippines.
Aside from the latest business and financial news, The Market Monitor also takes pride in its reports on banking and finance, motoring, games and gaming, gadgets and gears, agriculture, travel and tourism and entertainment.
But December 8 is also celebrated worldwide as the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, also known as Immaculate Conception Day.
According to Roman Catholic doctrine, the feast gives focus on the most pure and sinless conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8, nine months before the feast of the Nativity of Mary, celebrated every September 8.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is one of the most important Marian feasts in the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church celebrated worldwide.
By Pontifical decree, it is traditionally celebrated in the Philippines, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Italy, Korea, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Spain, the United States and Uruguay.
In the Philippines and many other Catholic countries, the feast is celebrated with Masses, parades and processions, fireworks and other religious activities, honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The feast was first solemnized as a Holy Day of obligation on December 6, 1708 by Pope Clement XI. By Church rules, Catholics are obligated to hear Mass on the feast of Immaculate Conception.
According to the Catholic dogma, the Most Blessed Virgin Mary was preserved from all stain of original sin through the grace and privilege granted by God for her role as being the mother of Jesus Christ, the savior of the human race.
The Eastern Orthodox Church does not accept the Roman Catholic dogma of Immaculate Conception. They believe the Virgin Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit due to her calling as Mother of God. They do not teach she was conceived without original sin. Their understanding of the doctrine of original sin differs from that of the Roman Catholic Church. The Orthodox Church however believes that Mary is all-holy and never committed a personal sin during her lifetime.
It is not surprising that the management and staff of the Market Monitor pay homage to the Blessed Virgin Mary and her Immaculate Conception even as we celebrate another year of successful newspaper work.
Market Monitor minds the nation’s business, but it also takes time to join the people in celebrating the Feast of Immaculate Conception.