The image used for this prayer program is a reproduction of a painting of Mary as the Immaculate Conception that hangs above the main altar of the Basilica-Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Quebec. It was painted in 1925 by Sister Mary of the Eucharist, a Sister of Charity of Quebec, to replace the 18th-century painting destroyed during a fire at the cathedral in 1922.

The inauguration ceremony of the Immaculate Conception Marian Prayer Program was conducted Aug. 7 during the 131st Supreme Convention in San Antonio, Texas. Taking part were K. of C. state deputies from throughout the order, who each processed with a framed reproduction of the painting.

The images were blessed by Pope Francis on June 29. Under the guidance of the state deputies, the framed images were brought on a pilgrimage from council to council throughout each jurisdiction as part of the prayer program which has brought together more than 16 million people at approximately 140,000 prayer services conducted at local councils and parishes.

The Maryville K. of C. Council 6625 held its Immaculate Conception Marian Prayer program at the Mother of Perpetual Church in Maryville on Aug. 3. In accordance with the program mandate, the painting will be passed along to the next designated council.