We commemorate Mary, the mother of the Messiah, conceived without sin, a unique privilege exclusively gifted to her. The Church celebrates first this great feast before Christmas to remind us that without Mary (had she said “no” to the angel’s invitation), there is no Jesus and no salvation.
That’s the reason Catholics venerate Mary for giving us a Son to open the gates of eternal life.
In December 8, 1854, Pius IX, defined with dogma of the Immaculate Conception saying:
“We declare, pronounce and define that the doctrine which holds that the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the first instant of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace of the Omnipotent God, in virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind, was preserved immaculate from all stain of original sin, has been revealed by God, and therefore should firmly and constantly be believed by all the faithful.”
Take note the words “We declare, pronounce and define that the doctrine . . .” Pius IX was talking from the Chair of Peter (Ex Cathedra) defining a doctrine. Such act is free from error or infallible per Catholic teaching.
We can only surmise that at that time, many skeptics (like some of us today) asked how possible that an ordinary Jewish girl was preserved immaculately from all stain of original sin? We cannot completely understand that but it does not mean that the dogma is false simply because we cannot understand it.
Four years later, Mary told Bernadette “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Mary affirmed that the dogma is correct four years later.
We Filipinos have a strong devotion to Mary. In fact, we know that she is always beside us helping and interceding for our needs and we feel her presence. Only we Filipinos fondly address her Mama Mary because of our helplessness in facing the rigors of life. “Mama” means that we can cry on her shoulder while she listens. She gives us comfort and love like our human parents do but she also scolds us through the teachings of the Church.
May Mary intercede for us who have recourse to her and those who do not have recourse to her. -30-
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