December 15, 2024 - Third Sunday of Advent

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

   This week we celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we are reminded of the incredible grace that God bestowed upon her from the very moment of her conception. This feast honors Mary’s preservation from original sin, making her “full of grace” and prepared to be the Mother of our Savior.

   The Immaculate Conception is not to be confused with the Annunciation. The Annunciation, which we celebrate on March 25, marks the moment when the Angel Gabriel visited Mary to announce that she would conceive Jesus by the Holy Spirit. It is the moment when Mary, though free from sin, is called to say her “yes” to God’s plan of salvation, offering her consent to become the Mother of God.

   In contrast, the Immaculate Conception celebrates the moment in time when Mary was conceived in her mother’s womb—St. Anne’s womb—by a singular grace of God, and preserved from original sin from the very beginning of her existence. The Church teaches that Mary was conceived without sin because she was chosen to be the mother of the Savior, and God, in His immense love and wisdom, prepared her in the most perfect way for this role. This feast is a reminder of God’s preparation and care for His most precious vessel, Mary. By being preserved from original sin, she was the purest of all human beings, able to carry within her the very Word of God. This special grace is not just a theological point but a sign of the immense love and providence God has for all of us. Through her, God was preparing the way for Jesus, the Savior of the world, to be born.

   In the United States, the Immaculate Conception is not only a feast of personal reflection on God’s grace, but also a national feast. As Patroness of the United States, Mary under this title is a powerful symbol of the purity and hope we are called to live out in our nation. Just as Mary was preserved from sin, we, too, are called to live lives that strive for holiness, to preserve and protect the purity of our hearts, and to follow God’s will in all things. The feast invites us to turn to the Blessed Mother for protection, intercession, and guidance. She, as the Immaculate Conception, stands as a model of purity, holiness, and devotion to God’s will. Her intercession, especially in this feast, calls us to live out our faith more faithfully and to trust that she will lead us toward her Son, Jesus Christ.

   When we reflect on the significance of Mary’s role in our lives, we cannot help but remember the visions of St. Bernadette Soubirous at Lourdes, France, in 1858. Mary appeared to Bernadette as a young girl in a grotto, and in one of the most profound moments, when Bernadette asked her, “Who are you?” Our Lady replied simply, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” This revelation to Bernadette is deeply significant, especially in the context of the Church’s formal definition of the Immaculate Conception just a few years earlier in 1854. By identifying herself as the Immaculate Conception, Mary affirmed the Church’s teaching about her unique grace and mission. It was a moment of profound theological importance, where Mary revealed herself in a way that directly linked the heavenly mystery to the earthly world. She made clear that she, the Immaculate One, was both a part of the grand plan of salvation and a mother who deeply cares for all of us. The words of Mary to Bernadette also remind us that the grace of the Immaculate Conception is not a privilege reserved for just Mary alone, but a grace that reaches out to all of us. Just as Mary was preserved from sin, we too are called to be preserved in holiness, walking the path of purity, love, and devotion to God.

   As we approach the celebration of Christmas, we also remember the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which we celebrate on December 12th. Our Lady appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531 in Mexico, giving him a miraculous image of herself on his tilma (cloak). She appeared as a woman clothed with the sun, the moon at her feet, and stars around her head, a beautiful sign of her role as the Queen of Heaven.

   Our Lady of Guadalupe is a powerful symbol of Mary’s love and care for the people of the Americas, and her message continues to resonate with us today. In the words she spoke to Juan Diego, “Am I not here, I who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection?” we hear the echoes of the protection that Mary, the Immaculate Conception, offers to all of us, especially those in need of comfort and hope. Her maternal care is not confined to one place or people, but extends universally, calling all to draw near to her Son, Jesus Christ.

   In the Marian feasts surrounding Advent, we see a beautiful package of grace unfolding. Mary, conceived without sin, prepares the way for Christ’s coming into the world. St. Bernadette’s encounter with Mary reminds us of the great mystery of God’s work in the world and the holiness we are all called to. Our Lady of Guadalupe calls us to experience God’s love in a personal way, inviting us into a deeper relationship with Christ. May the intercession of Our Lady, the Immaculate Conception, the Patroness of the United States, be with us all as we await the coming of Christ this Christmas.

God bless everyone always!!!

Fr. Stan