The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is in perfect harmony with the spirit of Advent. It is only fitting that while the Church prepares for the coming of the Redeemer, we should think of her who has been conceived without sin because she was to be his mother.  

The privilege of Mary Immaculate does not consist solely in the absence of Original Sin, but much more in being full of grace. Gabriel’s greeting, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” is the strongest testimony of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, who would not be “full of grace” in the complete sense of the word if she had been stained by sin for a single moment.  On the festival of Mary Immaculate, the Church invites us to praise God for the wonders accomplished in Mary.  Breaking the chain of Original Sin that binds all other children of Adam was applied to Mary in anticipation.