It is Advent, and on Monday, December 8, we celebrate the Immaculate Conception. This is when Mary was conceived in her Mother’s womb without stain of Original Sin. Mary is given a special grace in order for this to happen. It is called prevenient grace. This grace allows her to participate in the graces of Jesus death, resurrection and ascension before they happen. Hence, we celebrate her Immaculate Conception because she is conceived without the sin that has been passed on to all generations since our first parents, Adam and Eve, sinned.
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated in a special way as she is the patroness of the United States. We ask for intercession for our nation. We celebrate this feast as a Holy Day of Obligation, and we do it with great solemnity. Normally in Advent we do not sing or say the Gloria, but there is one exception (the Immaculate Conception). The reason we don’t usually say the Gloria is that we are preparing for the coming of Christ. And yet, there is this exception because His mother is conceived totally without sin. It seems fitting to praise God for this beautiful grace given to Mary, given to one like us.
The other interesting thing about the Immaculate Conception is that this is the feast of the Miraculous Medal. Why? Because the Miraculous Medal is actually the Medal of the Immaculate Conception. It is called Miraculous because people who received the medal and prayed for Our Lady’s intercession experienced so many miracles. I gave out these medals in October and I ran out. I recently purchased more, so please contact me if you would like to receive one.
Fr. Thomas P. Galarneault