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The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of
Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of
the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her,
he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:26–28 |
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What does it mean to be “full of grace?” This is a question at the heart of our solemn celebration today. |
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Today we honor the Blessed
Virgin Mary, the Mother of the Savior of the World, under the unique
title of “The Immaculate Conception.” This title acknowledges that grace
filled her soul from the moment of her conception, thus preserving her
from the stain of sin. Though this truth had been held for centuries
among the Catholic faithful, it was solemnly declared as a dogma of our
faith on December 8, 1854, by Pope Pius IX. In his dogmatic declaration
he stated: |
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We declare, pronounce, and
define that the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary,
in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and
privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus
Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain
of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be
believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful. |
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By raising this doctrine of
our faith to the level of a dogma, the holy father declared that this
truth is to be held as certain by all the faithful. It is a truth that
is found in the words of the angel Gabriel, “Hail, full of grace!” To be
“full” of grace means just that. Full! 100%. Interestingly, the Holy
Father did not say that Mary was born in a state of Original Innocence
as were Adam and Eve before they fell into Original Sin. Instead, the
Blessed Virgin Mary is declared to be preserved from sin by “a singular
grace.” Though she had not yet conceived her Son, the grace that He
would win for humanity by His Cross and Resurrection was declared to
have transcended time so as to heal our Blessed Mother at the moment of
her conception, preserving her of even the stain of Original Sin, by the
gift of grace. |
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Why would God do this? Because
no stain of sin could be mingled with the Second Person of the Most
Holy Trinity. And if the Blessed Virgin Mary were to become a fitting
instrument by which God unites with our human nature, then she needed to
be preserved from all sin. Additionally, she remained in grace
throughout her life, refusing to ever turn from God by her own free
will. |
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As we celebrate this dogma of
our faith today, turn your eyes and heart to our Blessed Mother by
simply pondering those words spoken by the angel: “Hail, full of grace!”
Ponder them, this day, reflecting upon them over and over in your
heart. Imagine the beauty of the soul of Mary. Imagine the perfect
grace-filled virtue she enjoyed in her humanity. Imagine her perfect
faith, perfect hope and perfect charity. Reflect upon every word she
spoke, being inspired and directed by God. She truly is The Immaculate
Conception. Honor her as such this day and always. |
| My mother and my queen, I love you and honor you this day as The Immaculate Conception! I gaze upon your beauty and perfect virtue. I thank you for always saying “Yes” to the will of God in your life and for allowing God to use you with such power and grace. Pray for me, that as I come to know you more deeply as my own spiritual mother, I may also imitate your life of grace and virtue in all things. Mother Mary, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You! |
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