In the midst of Advent every year, the faithful observe the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Nevertheless, some faithful Christians falsely believe that this refers to Jesus’ conception, yet, this feast is actually the celebration of Mary being conceived without sin in the womb of her mother, St Anne. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that through “the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, ‘full of grace’ through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception.” This belief throughout the centuries inspired Pope Pius IX in 1954 to declare this teaching of the Church to be infallible dogma. We believe that Mary, chosen by God to be the mother of his son, was conceived without original sin.
In the Office of Readings for this feast, St. Anselm eloquently observes, “Blessed Lady, sky and stars, earth and rivers, day and night — everything that is subject to the power or use of man — rejoices that through you they are in some sense restored to their lost beauty and are endowed with inexpressible new grace.” In a very poetic, beautiful way, Anselm expresses the role Mary has in the history of salvation, the role that Mary has in our lives as Catholics. It is a wonderful and joyful mystery of our faith that God the Father began the redemption of the world by choosing Mary as a pivotal part of this plan. Thus, in the Early Church, Mary was seen as the “New Eve,” since by her obedience and trust, Mary began the process of undoing the harm of Eve’s disobedience and distrust.
The first bishops of our country appreciated Mary’s unique role in the history salvation. They appreciated the power of her heavenly protection. So, in 1846, 8 years before Pope Pius IX declared the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, the Bishops requested that Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception be named the patroness of our country. Thus, today we celebrate our country’s patronal feast day. The Basilica of the national shrine of the Immaculate Conception is located on the campus of Catholic University of Washington DC. It is the largest Catholic Church in the United States and in North America. The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception houses 81 different chapels.
Some of us might think that Mary’s reality is far from our everyday reality, but, in truth, Mary is very close to us. Mary grew up in a place and time with a lot of uncertainty. She accepted responsibility at a very young age and fled to Egypt with her husband Joseph, ultimately returning to the small town of Nazareth. Mary knew poverty and desperate circumstance. She experienced the passion and death of her son.
As we celebrate the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception today, let us pray that our hearts may grow like Mary’s heart in trust of God. Today, may we offer thanks to the God the Father for the gift of Mary our mother. Through Mary’s loving intercession, may we grow stronger in our faith and in our trust of God.
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