Word to the Wise
Friday, December 8, 2023 - Dec. 8: The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (transferred to Monday 12/9 if 12/8 is a Sunday of Advent )
[Gen 3:9-15, 20; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Luke 1:26-38]The man called his wife Eve, because she became the mother of all the living. [Genesis] In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. [Ephesians] "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.....Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." [Luke]
The dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary took awhile to develop in Catholic faith. It was "defined" in 1854 by Pope Pius IX. Why did it take so long? Some of the hesitation was due to the fact that such eminent theologians as St. Bernard and St. Thomas Aquinas argued against it because St. Paul had declared that all human persons, except Jesus, were subject to original sin, and that Christ had come to save ALL the human race, which would presumably include Mary. But those who argued in favor of the idea argued that Mary's status was an exception because of her role as theotokos (the bearer of Christ) and "Mother of God." Mary was "destined" by God.
The liturgical observance as a Holyday of Obligation in the USA is due to the dedication of Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception as the special patroness of our country.
The observance in the USA, however, is complicated by the importance of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12th, especially in Mexico and the USA (because of immigration over many years). Each feast has its own meanings and symbols and attendance at Mass on the holy day in heavily Hispanic regions is eclipsed by attendance on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. One may hope the bishops of our country will find a way to allow either observance to serve the purpose of devotion.
Mary's special status in the economy of salvation is part of Catholic faith and tradition. We celebrate and venerate her in many ways. Today is one of those ways. AMEN