The Immaculate Conception is a very poorly understood doctrine of the Catholic Faith. To be sure, the teaching is not without some conceptual difficulties. However, as Tony explains, at its most basic, the doctrine proclaims the unique way Mary of Nazareth was saved by the same means we all are, by the Paschal Mystery of her beloved son, the Son of God Incarnate, Jesus Christ.

Mass Readings:

Reading 1: Genesis 3:9-15, 20

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

Reading 2: Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

Endnotes:

Lumen Gentium, Ch. 8.

John C. Cavadini, Introduction to Mary on The Eve of the Second Vatican Council, 1-2.

1 Corinthians 15:22 & Romans 5:12-21

Pope Pius IX, Apostolic Constitution, Ineffabilis Deus.

Aidan Nichols, O.P., There Is No Other Rose: The Mariology of the Catholic Church, 50.

Philippians 2:12-13

Romans 5:12

St. Augustine of Hippo, Marriage and Desire, 2.45-47.

Pelagius, On Nature.

St. Augustine of Hippo, Nature and Grace, 36.42.

1 John 1:8

Aidan Nichols, O.P., There Is No Other Rose, 53-54.

St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, III Q. 27.2; Q. 27.2, ad. 2.

St. Bonaventure, Commentary On the Third Book of the Sentences, 3:1, 1.2.

Aidan Nichols, O.P., There Is No Other Rose, 59.

Aidan Nichols, O.P., There Is No Other Rose, 62-63.

St. John Henry Newman, Meditations and Devotions of the Late Cardinal Newman, 43-44.

St. John Henry Newman, Meditations and Devotions of the Late Cardinal Newman, 47-48.

John 3:16

John 10:10

Luke 1:28

Raniero Cantalamessa, Mary, Mirror of the Church, 31.

St. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 53.

2 Corinthians 6:1

Raniero Cantalamessa, Mary, Mirror of the Church, 33.

St. Louis de Montfort, True Devotion to Mary, 108.

St. Louis de Montfort, True Devotion to Mary, 24.

Luke 1:46