Catholic theology of holiness. Prayers and devotions asking for her intercession, such as the rosary, the Hail Mary, and the Memorare are common Catholic practice. The Church devotes several liturgical feasts to Mary, mainly the Immaculate Conception, Mary, Mother of God, the Visitation, the Assumption, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and in the Americas the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Pilgrimages to Marian shrines like Lourdes, France, and Fátima, Portugal, are also a common form of devotion and prayer. Men become bishops, priests or deacons through the sacrament of Holy Orders. Candidates to the priesthood must have a college
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church (Fredericksburg, Virginia) St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church (Fredericksburg, Virginia) St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church is located in Fredericksburg, Virginia and is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arlington. Its grade school is Holy Cross Academy. The original St. Mary on Princess Ann Street was established in 1858 as the Fredericksburg Mission, served by priests from the original cathedral in Richmond. During the American Civil War, the building was used as a hospital and storehouse. In 1871, the church received its first resident pastor. This original church was used until 1970, then sold to