Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

On March 25, 1858, in a small, poor region in southern France, Our Lady revealed her identity to a young teenage girl, Bernadette Soubirous, by saying, “Que soy era immaculada concepciou” (“I am the Immaculate Conception”). Living in a time without immediate access to the latest news from the Vatican as we have today, Bernadette was not familiar with this title for Mary, as it was only four years earlier that Pope Pius IX officially proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

To have the woman who was preserved from sin as our Mother who brings us to her son, Our Lord, is an overwhelming gift that we celebrate in the Church today and throughout the Advent season as we contemplate Mary’s role in salvation history.

Although the gospel scene today describes the Visitation, which is celebrated on March 25, we notice the angel’s greeting to Mary in light of the Immaculate Conception. He says, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you” (Lk 1:28). Full of grace. Free from sin. Truly, this is what we aspire to in our own lives. With Mary’s prayers and example of a life completely and freely surrendered to God, we hope to come closer to living as she lived. One day, God-willing, we too can be full of grace and free from sin for all eternity.

In praying with the Gospel today and reflecting on my husband’s and my pilgrimage to Lourdes, France this summer to pray in the grotto where Mary appeared to St. Bernadette, I think of all the times I am afraid or confused by an invitation (or lack thereof) from God. Do I still trust? Do I let fear overwhelm my faith? Do I question God’s plan and timing? I am reminded of another French woman and saint, St. Joan of Arc, who confidently and faithfully declared as she set out to save France, “I am not afraid; I was born to do this.”

When we know who is with us—both the Lord and his Immaculate Mother—how can we be afraid of God’s call for our lives? We were born for this.

St. Bernadette, St. Joan of Arc, and Mary, the Immaculate Conception—pray for us!