Feast of the Immaculate Conception

This Feast honoring Mary under the title of the “Immaculate Conception” has very special significance for the people of the United States. This country is dedicated to Mary under this title. The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is in Washington, D.C. It is one of the largest religious structures in the western world. This feast is celebrated worldwide on the 8^th of December. From the earliest days of the Church, Christians believed that May was born without the stain of original sin. Based on the words of the angel: “Hail Full of Grace” (Luke 1:28) and on the belief of Christians throughout the ages, Pope Pius IX in 1870 declared Mary to be born free from original sin, and was to be believed by all Catholics. When Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous at Lourdes – she responded to Bernadette’s question about who she was by saying: “I am the Immaculate Conception.”

Truly it’s fitting that the one who was to give the world its Savior, she be prepared by God for that awesome mission.

As we begin this Advent season, we can look to Mary as our model in our preparing for Christmas. Mary prepared with faith and love to give Christ to the world.

On this special feast of Mary, we see the world as it was meant to be. We see in Mary the human person we were all meant to be. Despite the damage done by original sin, the Church teaches that human nature can still be repaired – that were sin abounded, grace doth more abound. Mary is truly nature’s solitary boast. Mary is the mother of the new humanity that Christ came to establish by His life, death and resurrection. Because of Mary’s “Yes” to God, we have available the grace and strength to share in the new creation.

We have been given a great patron in Mary. Although sinless, she knows the power of sin and what it can do to human lives. She surrounds us with her intercession and prayer so that we can live in the image God originally created us to be. Through Mary, we can receive all God’s blessings and gifts, if we, like Mary, open our hearts to her son Jesus. We are strengthened by her intercession. Like her we, too, can cry out: “He who is mighty has done great things for us.” (Luke 1:49)

Like Mary, God continues to do great things for us, so that we can be instruments of bringing His love and His peace to a broken, sinful world.

“O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us, who have recourse to you.”

Our Lady of Guadalupe

We are in the process of making a novena in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This fast recalls the apparitions of Mary to a little native boy – named Juan Diego – from the 9^th to the 13^th of December in 1531. Pope Pius XII declared Mary under the title of “Our Lady of Guadalupe” Patroness of the Americas. This great feast reminds us that God still comes to us through Mary, Reminding us of his love for us. Under this title Our Lady is truly the Exemplar of Evangelization. Through her appearance to Juan Diego, millions of natives joined the Church. Through the ages, millions more have come back to the Church, through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Our Lady go Guadalupe, Pray for us.