8 December 2010: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Principal Patroness of the Philippines (“ORDO” 1988, p181)

Pope Pius IX instituted this feast when he proclaimed the Dogma on this day in 1854. This Dogma defined and affirmed the constant faith of the Church -- that Mary was conceived free from stain of original sin. Mary’s privilege is the most beautiful fruit of her Son’s Redemption. As Mother of the Saviour who came to take away the sin of mankind, she received the benefits of salvation on her conception. Christ did not allow it to stain Mary. Her sanctity is a model for all Christians. We seek her intercession to get rid of our sins. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1709)

On this day, we celebrate two significant events in the history of our salvation. Firstly, when Almighty God revealed her to our first parents as the Virgin of the Divine Redeemer. She is the woman destined to ‘crush the head of the serpent’; endowed with the richest treasures of grace and sanctity. (cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp777-9)

Secondly, when Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception was raised from a pious belief to the dignity of a dogma of the Infallible Church on the 8th of December 1854. The resultant universal joy of all the faithful recalled the enthusiasm fifteen centuries before when the Council of Ephesus (431) proclaimed Mary the “Mother of God”. (cf Ibid, op cit)

Let us implore her powerful intercession: that the whole Church may defeat the plots of the enemies of religion, and accomplish her Son’s desire for ‘one fold and one shepherd’. (cf Ibid, op cit)

The Blessed Virgin and the mystery of Christ

“I exult for joy in the Lord, my soul rejoices in my God; for he has clothed me in the garment of salvation and robed me in the cloak of justice, like a bride adorned with her jewels.” (“Entrance Antiphon”: Isa 61:10)

“May all creation shout with joy, heaven rejoice and justice rain down in torrents from the clouds. Let mountains exude sweet honey and the hills pour forth cataracts of jubilation. The Lord has shown mercy on his people. He has raised a powerful Saviour from the House of his servant David. The most pure and immaculate Virgin Mother arrives for the health and hope of all the peoples of the world.” (St Andrew of Crete, “Homily on the birth of the Most Holy Mother of God”, 1)

“Mary was predestined from eternity to be the Mother of God, at the incarnation of the Word decreed by Divine Providence.” (cf Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 61) The woman referred to in “Genesis” when God told the serpent: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your lineage and hers.” (3:15)

“God loved her with a unique predilection. He filled her with the greatest abundance of his celestial gifts and her participation in the divine nature exceeds that of all the angels and saints together. Her life reflects a fullness of innocence and sanctity. Only the Creator himself can conceive a more exalted creature.” (cf Pius IX, Apostolic Letter, “Ineffabilis Deus”, 8 December 1854)

In this great solemnity we see a meaningful connection with the feast of Christmas. Chronologically close together, they become one grand celebration.

“The first sign of spring while it is yet winter when everything seems dead is the appearance of green shoots. Similarly, in a world stained by sin and plagued by despair, the Immaculate Conception prefigures the restoration of man’s innocence. We can see the imminence of this development in much the same way as we do the appearance of a flower when at first all we see is the bud. It was still winter in the cold world around, but not in Joachim’s tranquil home where St Anne gave birth to a female child. Springtime was just beginning there.” (R A Knox, “Feasts of the Liturgical Year”, 298)

You are all fair, Mary and there is no stain in you. The life of the Mother of God will always be a worthy ideal for us all to imitate because she is a model of sanctity in ordinary life, the kind of holiness that is accessible to all in daily circumstances; a quiet dedication often unnoticed.

The Holy Spirit has taught generations of Christians throughout the ages that the truest path to the Heart of Jesus is through Mary. Thus, we need to accustom ourselves to entrusting our needs with confidence to the Blessed Virgin. She is the ‘shortcut to God’ for us.

“Zealously conserve your tender and confident love for the Blessed Virgin and do not let it grow cold. Be faithful to the Marian practices of piety that are traditional in the Church: the ‘Angelus’, special devotion to Our Lady during the month of May, and in particular, the Holy Rosary.” (John Paul II, “Address”, 12 October 1980)

“Our Lady is rest for those who work, consolation for those who mourn, and relief for those who are sick. ... a refuge for those caught in the storms of life, a fountain of compassion for sinners, a sweet relief for the sorrowful and a sure source of aid for those who pray.” (St John Damascene, “Homily on Our Lady’s Dormition”)

Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:338-43

‘Queen conceived without original sin. Pray for us.’

· “Let us then cast ourselves at the feet of this good mother, and embracing them, let us not depart until she blesses us, and thus accepts us for her children.” -- St Bernard (St Alphonsus Liguori, “The Blessed Virgin Mary”, 46)

Selection

“Have recourse to the sweet Lady Mary, Mother of God and our Mother also, entrusting to her care the cleanliness of soul and body of all mankind.

“Tell her that you want to call upon her, and want others to call upon her continually. And that you want to conquer always, in the bad moments -- or the good, very good moments -- of your struggle against those who are hostile to our being children of God.”

Ref: St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 864

Bernadette was canonized on 8 December 1933. In 1963, her body was exhumed and found to be quite incorrupt and flexible. Clothed in the habit of her Congregation it reposes in a crystal casket near the high altar of the chapel of St Gildard in the Mother House at Nevers where it can be seen daily. (In CC Martindale, “St Bernadette, Peasant of Lourdes”, 74)

The Conception of the Blessed Virgin. This festival began in the East, more than nine-hundred years ago, since mention is made of it by St John Damascene, who lived in 721. It was instituted in England in the year 1100 by St Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury; afterwards in the diocese of Lyons, in the year 1145; and finally, Sixtus IV commanded, in the year 1570, its celebration throughout Christendom. — Slolanus, Xotea te Usuard. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)

Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. Instituted by P Sixtus IV, 1477. Extended to the whole Roman Catholic Church, 1708 by Pope Clement XI. ["...; and finally Sixtus IV commanded in 1576 (note: this date is wrong; Sixtus IV died in 1484), celebration of it throughout Christendom. (Molanus, Notes to Usuard.)"] (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm).

Solemnity: Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html).

Our Lady of Good Health. (Note feasts on 2nd Sunday of May and September 8). (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

‘Virgen de Salud’ Basilica. Patzcuaro, Mexico. 1554.

Our Lady of Good Health / ‘Virgen de Salud’ Basilica (1554) and Statue, Patzcuaro, Michoacan. Mexico. Patron saint of this region of Mexico. (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm).