Advent Reflection - December 8 - Monday of the second week of Advent - Reflection on the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception

Coming to the Catholic faith as an adult, I always love looking at the history of what we believe as Catholics.  Throughout the centuries, the theology and liturgy of the Church developed a belief that Mary was preserved from every stain of sin from her conception in the womb of her mother St Anne, so that Mary would be called holy for all ages. At the start of the 19th century, there was a desire on behalf of many, including many bishops and theologians, that the privilege of the Immaculate Conception be defined as dogma by the Church.  Around the middle of the 19^th century, with the intention of accepting this request, Pope Pius IX, after consulting the theologians, questioned the Bishops about the possibility of such a definition.  The vast majority of the 604 Bishops in the world at that time gave a positive response to the question. In 1854, Pope Pius IX declared the Immaculate Conception as dogma of the Church.  As with most beliefs, the Immaculate Concept developed in response to a discussion about Jesus in the early centuries, about Jesus’ nature both human and divine.  As we celebrate Mary as a prophet and the first disciples during this holy season of Advent, as we get ready to celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe this upcoming weekend, may our celebration of the Immaculate Conception this week enhance our relationship with our Blessed Mother and with her Son, the Prince of Peace and the Savior of the world.