Feast of the Immaculate Conception

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius XI issued "Ineffabilis Deus" which defined the Immaculate Conception as an article of faith and truth contained in the original teachings of the Apostles. The dogma is defined, "We declare, pronounce, and define that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, at the first instant of her conception was preserved immaculate from all stain of original sin, by the singular grace and privilege of the omnipotent God, in virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, the saviour of mankind, and that this doctrine was revealed by God, and therefore, must be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful."

Mary's birth should not be confused by Christ's Virgin Birth. That is, the actions of her parents caused her body to be formed. It is God, however, Who breathes the rational soul into man. To her God poured special graces at the moment of her conception, and thus she was conceived without original sin. The Catholic Church celebrates this feast on December 8th and it is a Holy Day of Obligation in the United States, Canada, and many other countries. The patroness of the United States of America is the Blessed Virgin under the title of Immaculate Conception.

The statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Nazareth, where the Angel Gabriel told her, "Not to be afraid..." The more common opinion is that the Angel Gabriel came to Mary between the betrothal and the final marriage ceremonies. It appears from St. Matthew (1, 18-25) that Joseph did not take Mary to his house until after he had been freed from his worry by the Angel and told to go ahead with his wedding plans. When Mary was betrothed to Joseph, she would have been twelve and twelve-and-one-half years old, according to Jewish custom. In all likelihood, Joseph would have been a young man. Mary lived at her own home in Nazareth for another years before the solemn marriage ceremony after which she went to live in Joseph's home. Even though not living together for the first years, the betrothed couple were legally considered man and wife. There is no doubt that Joseph and Mary were truly married as husband and wife (Matthew 1, 19-20); also, there is no question but their marriage was a virginal one.

Published 12/8/10  lib's labyrinth
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