Today we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of the Savior of the world, with the unique title of "Immaculate Conception"

The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city in 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 to her: “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you “. Luke 1: 26-28

What does it mean to be "full of grace?" This is a question at the heart of our solemn celebration today.

Today we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of the Savior of the world, with the unique title of "Immaculate Conception". This title recognizes that grace has filled his soul from the moment of his conception, thus preserving it from the stain of sin. Although 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 statement he stated:

We declare, pronounce and define that the doctrine according to which the Most Holy Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in mankind, preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be firmly and constantly believed by all the faithful.

Raising this doctrine of our faith to the level of a dogma, the holy father declared that this truth must be held certain by all the faithful. It is a truth that is found in the words of the angel Gabriel: "Hail, full of grace!" Being "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 like Adam and Eve before falling into original sin. Instead, the Blessed Virgin Mary is declared preserved from sin by "a singular grace". Although she had not yet conceived her Son, it was declared that the grace she would obtain for mankind through his cross and resurrection had transcended time in order to heal our Blessed Mother at the moment of her conception, also preserving her from the stain of ' original. Too bad, for the gift of grace.

Why would God do this? Because no stain of sin could be mixed with the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. And if the Blessed Virgin Mary were to become an appropriate instrument by which God unites with our human nature, then she had to be preserved from all sin. Furthermore, she has remained in grace throughout her life, refusing to turn her back on God of her own free will.

As we celebrate this dogma of our faith today, turn your eyes and heart to our Blessed Mother simply by meditating on those words spoken by the angel: "Hail, full of grace!" Meditate on them this day, reflecting on them over and over again in your heart. Imagine the beauty of Mary's soul. Imagine the perfect graceful virtue that he enjoyed in his humanity. Imagine his perfect faith, perfect hope and perfect charity. Reflect on every word she said, being inspired and directed by God. She is truly the Immaculate Conception. Honor her as such today and always.

My mother and my queen, I love and honor you today as the Immaculate Conception! I look at your beauty and perfect virtue. Thank you for always saying "Yes" to God's will in your life and for allowing God to use you with such power and grace. Pray for me that when I know you more deeply as my spiritual mother, I may also imitate your life of grace and virtue in all things. Mother Mary, pray for us. Jesus I believe in you!