Both the Angel Gabriel and Elizabeth pronounce Mary blest among women because she has been chosen to be the Mother of the Lord. The Christian faithful, recognizing how singularly Mary has been blest by God, have regarded her as wholly pleasing to God, and thus free from sin.
However, the Scriptures do not directly affirm that Mary was absolutely free from every stain of sin, personal or original, and that she always remained perfectly sinless. But Catholic piety and devotion have recognized that the Mother of God always was and always remained most pleasing to God and completely free from any stain of sin.
Mary was highly favored of God in that she was chosen to be the Mother of His Incarnate Son. The Catholic faithful have followed their instinct of faith in believing that God did not permit sin to touch her who was to be the living tabernacle and Mother of the Word Incarnate. They spontaneously understood that so good a Son endowed so good a Mother with the riches of His grace so that she always remained completely free of sin and most holy and beloved in his sight.
As we celebrate Mary's Immaculate Conception, we must take into account the explicit teaching of Saint Paul that all humans need redemption because they have inherited a condition of sin from Adam. The fact that Mary was never infected by sin of any kind does not mean that she did not need redemption. It means, rather, that she has experienced a more perfect redemption which has preserved her from actual contamination of sin.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
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