Why Mary, as the Immaculate Conception, became the patron saint of the US in the 1840s

Mary, as the Immaculate Conception, became patroness of the United States before the Vatican officially defined that belief as dogma.

By: Stephanie Shreffler, University of Dayton and Bridget Retzloff, University of Dayton, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: June 2, 2026

Words: 1,358

Last Updated: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

By Stephanie Shreffler, University of Dayton and Bridget Retzloff, University of Dayton

Every year in March, tens of thousands of Americans take to the streets – and bars – to celebrate St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Similarly, Mexican Americans celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico’s patron saint, in December.

But did you know that the U.S. has its own patron saint? Nearly 200 years ago, in May …

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