Immaculate Mary, conceived without original sin

Maria Montemayor

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

On December 8, we celebrate Mary and how she was free from original sin from the moment of her conception. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is an important feast day around the world. Many countries like the Philippines, Italy, Malta, Portugal, and Colombia made this day a public holiday. In the United States, it is a holy day of obligation which means that Catholics are expected to attend Mass and avoid unnecessary work.

At 12:00 pm ET on December 8, Salt + Light TV will air Pope Francis venerating a statue of the Immaculate Conception in honour of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

How was Mary free from original sin? Although Mary was born from a human mother and father, she was set apart from the moment of her conception. Mary was born free from sin through grace, and she remained free from sin for the duration of her life. Mary was humble and obedient. She never strayed from God and always remained faithful to Him

Mary was the first tabernacle of Jesus. Jesus was the fruit of her womb, and she was unceasingly devoted to Him. Even though we are all born with original sin, we should follow Mary’s example of humility and obedience and strive to remain free from sin ourselves. Especially during this season of Advent, as we anticipate Christ’s birth, we should purify our hearts and make way for Jesus like Mary did during the Annunciation.

We should join Mary in saying, "I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let what you have said be done to me." (Luke 1:38)

Making a concerted effort to go for Confession (many parishes offer Advent Confession times) and Adoration, attending daily Mass, praying regularly, and asking for the intercession of the saints, including the Blessed Virgin Mary are all ways we can strive to live a life free from sin. By imitating Mary in our devotion to Jesus through our words, thoughts, and actions we can draw nearer to Him.

So, on this feast day and throughout this Advent season, let us aim for a life without sin, like the life of Mary, and let us ask for her intercession so that we can love Jesus as wholeheartedly and as unceasingly as she has loved Him.