Tuesday, December 7, 2010

The Immaculate Conception

Today we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Mary. In the ordos used in Jerusalem in the 5th century, we see that Mary's conception was already being celebrated.

In the Gospel, the angel Gabriel says, "Hail Mary full of Grace." In Greek the word used, κεχαριτωμένη, is a perfect passive participle of χαριτοω meaning "to fill or endow with grace." The tense indicates that Mary was graced from the instant she first existed in her mother's (Anne's) womb (well before Gabriel visited) and ever since. It might be best understood as her being so full of grace that sin can not enter her.

The first Mass celebrating the Immaculate Conception will be tonight at 5:30 p.m. There will also be Masses tomorrow at 6:20, 8:15, 12:10, 5:30 and 7 p.m. It is such a special event that it is considered a Holy Day of Obligation.

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