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I am always so grateful at this time of year to have the chance to continue the celebration of Christmas – when our secular society is all done with Christmas, the Church is just getting started! We are blessed to have a number of weeks of the Christmas Season and I would urge everyone of us to continue to see these days as Christmas Days – the miracle and mystery of the Incarnation is so profound that it can’t be fully meditated on over the course of a single day, so to help continue our prayer on so great a mystery, I wanted to share with you a reflection which comes from The Letter to Diognetus which comes from sometime in the late 2nd Century:
No man has ever seen God or known him, but God has revealed himself to us through faith, by which alone it is possible to see him. God, the Lord and maker of all things, who created the world and set it in order, not only loved man but was also patient with him. So he has always been, and is, and will be: kind, good, free from anger, truthful; indeed, he and he alone is good. He devised a plan, a great and wonderful plan, and shared it only with his Son. As long as he preserved this secrecy and kept his own wise counsel he seemed to be neglecting us, to have no concern for us. But when through his beloved Son he revealed and made public what he had prepared from the very beginning, he gave us all at once gifts such as we could never have dreamt of, even sight and knowledge of himself. When God had made all his plans in consultation with his Son, he waited until a later time, allowing us to follow our own whim, to be swept along by unruly passions, to be led astray by pleasure and desire. Not that he was pleased by our sins: he only tolerated them. Not that he approved of that time of sin: he was planning this era of holiness. When we had been shown to be undeserving of life, his goodness was to make us worthy of it. When we had made it clear that we could not enter God’s kingdom by our own power, we were to be enabled to do so by the power of God. When our wickedness had reached its culmination, it became clear that retribution was at hand in the shape of suffering and death. The time came then for God to make known his kindness and power (how immeasurable is God’s generosity and love!). He did not show hatred for us or reject us or take vengeance; instead, he was patient with us, bore with us, and in compassion took our sins upon himself; he gave his own Son as the price of our redemption, the holy one to redeem the wicked, the sinless one to redeem sinners, the just one to redeem the unjust, the incorruptible one to redeem the corruptible, the immortal one to redeem mortals. For what else could have covered our sins but his sinlessness? Where else could we, wicked and sinful as we were, have found the means of holiness except in the Son of God alone? How wonderful a transformation, how mysterious a design, how inconceivable a blessing! The wickedness of the many is covered up in the holy One, and the holiness of One sanctifies many sinners. A continued Merry Christmas to all of you and a blessed and joyful new year! We find our hearts full of great joy as we begin our Christmas celebrations! In the midst of family celebrations, unwrapping presents, sharing a Christmas meal, may we, as people of faith keep before us the reason for all of this – Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, who, in His Mercy, came down from heaven to save us, His wayward people. I thought it would be fitting to share portions of two Christmas homilies, the first was preached by St. John Chrysostom:
“I behold a new and wondrous mystery. My ears resound to the Shepherd’s song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full forth a heavenly hymn. The Angels sing. The Archangels blend their voice in harmony. The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise. The Seraphim exalt His glory. All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth, and man in heaven. He who is above, now for our redemption dwells here below and he that was lowly is by divine mercy raised. Bethlehem this day resembles heaven; hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices; and in place of the sun, enfolds within itself on every side, the Sun of Justice. And ask not how: for where God wills, the order of nature yields. For He willed, He had the power, He descended, He redeemed; all things move in obedience to God. This day He who is, is born; and He who is becomes what He was not…” And the second, preached by St. Augustine: “He is the One through whom all things have been made and, on Christmas, Who has been made in the midst of all things. He is the Revealer of His Father and the Creator of His mother, the Son of God through His Father without a mother and the Son of Man through His mother without a father. He is great in the eternal day of the angels but small in the time-conditioned day of men. He is the Word of God before all time and the Word made Flesh in the fullness of time. Maker of the sun, He is made under the sun. Disposer of all ages in the bosom of His Father, He consecrates Christmas Day in the womb of His mother. In Him He remains while from her He goes forth. Creator of the heavens and the earth, He is born on earth under the heavens. Unspeakably wise, He is wisely speechless. Filling the universe, He lies in a manger. Ruler of the stars, He nurses at His mother’s bosom. He is both great in the nature of God and small in the form of a servant, but His greatness is not diminished by His smallness nor His smallness overwhelmed by His greatness.” On behalf of myself and the entire parish staff, I wanted to wish you a very blessed and joyful Christmas! In last weekend’s bulletin we discussed the significance of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This weekend we will include suitable prayers to offer in keeping with this monthly devotion. The first is a novena prayer which should be prayed for nine straight days for a particular intention: NOVENA PRAYERS FOR THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION O most pure Virgin Mary conceived without sin, from the very first instant, you were entirely immaculate. O glorious Mary full of grace, you are the mother of my God – the Queen of Angels and of men. I humbly venerate you as the chosen mother of my Savior, Jesus Christ. The Prince of Peace and the Lord of Lords chose you for the singular grace and honor of being His beloved mother. By the power of His Cross, He preserved you from all sin. Therefore, by His power and love, I have hope and bold confidence in your prayers for my holiness and salvation. I pray that your prayers will bring me to imitate your holiness and submission to Jesus and the Divine Will. Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Now, Queen of Heaven, I beg you to beg my Savior to grant me these requests… (Mention your intentions) My holy Mother, I know that you were obedient to the will of God. In making this petition, I know that God’s will is more perfect than mine. So, grant that I may receive God’s grace with humility like you. As my final request, I ask that you pray for me to increase in faith in our risen Lord; I ask that you pray for me to increase in hope in our risen Lord; I ask that you pray for me to increase in love for the risen Jesus! Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. PRAYER OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, didst prepare a worthy dwelling place for thy Son, we beseech thee that, as by the foreseen death of this, thy Son, thou didst preserve her from all stain, so too thou wouldst permit us, purified through her intercession, to come unto thee. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son, who livest and reignest with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen. PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION O most Holy Virgin, immaculate in body and spirit, look kindly on me as I implore your powerful intercession. O most Holy Mother, receive my prayers as I present them to God. (State your intention here) O Mary, Mother of Jesus and our Mother, you intercede for us with your Son. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen. (This article is part of a series that will appear over the course of this year on the Monthly Devotions of the Church’s year). As we continue our monthly devotion to the Immaculate Conception, here is another prayer which can be used either by itself or as a novena of nine days of prayer for a specific intention.
NOVENA IN HONOR OF THE SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION V. In your conception, O Virgin Mary, you were immaculate. R. Pray for us to the Father, whose Son Jesus, after He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, you brought forth into the world. V. To you, O Virgin Mary, who were never touched by any spot of original sin or actual sin. R. I commend and entrust the purity of my heart. V. O Mary, you entered the world without stain. R. Obtain from God that I may leave it without sin. V. O Mary, conceived without sin. R. Pray for us who have recourse to you. Let us pray. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin made ready a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you, who kept her unspotted from all stain, by the foreseen precious death of your same Son, grant to us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain union with you. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. Blessed be the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. Novena Prayers for the Immaculate Conception Immaculate Virgin Mary, you were pleasing in the sight of God from the first moment of your conception in the womb of your mother, Saint Anne. You were chosen to be the Mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I believe the teaching of Holy Mother the Church, that in the first instant of your conception, by the singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, in virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ. Savior of the human race and your beloved Son. you were preserved from all stain of original sin. I thank God for this wonderful privilege and grace He bestowed upon you as I honor your Immaculate Conception. Look graciously upon me as I implore this special favor: (Mention your request). Virgin Immaculate, Mother of God and my Mother, from your throne in heaven turn your eyes of pity upon me. Filled with confidence in your goodness and power, I beg you to help me in this journey of life, which is so full of dangers for my soul. I entrust myself entirely to you, that I may never be the slave of the devil through sin, but may always live a humble and pure life. I consecrate myself to you forever, for my only desire is to love your Divine Son, Jesus. Mary , since none of your devout servants has ever perished, may I, too, be saved. Amen. (This article is part of a series that will appear over the course of this year on the Monthly Devotions of the Church’s year). In last weekend’s bulletin we discussed the significance of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This weekend we will include suitable prayers to offer in keeping with this monthly devotion. The first is a novena prayer which should be prayed for nine straight days for a particular intention: NOVENA PRAYERS FOR THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION O most pure Virgin Mary conceived without sin, from the very first instant, you were entirely immaculate. O glorious Mary full of grace, you are the mother of my God – the Queen of Angels and of men. I humbly venerate you as the chosen mother of my Savior, Jesus Christ. The Prince of Peace and the Lord of Lords chose you for the singular grace and honor of being His beloved mother. By the power of His Cross, He preserved you from all sin. Therefore, by His power and love, I have hope and bold confidence in your prayers for my holiness and salvation. I pray that your prayers will bring me to imitate your holiness and submission to Jesus and the Divine Will. Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Now, Queen of Heaven, I beg you to beg my Savior to grant me these requests… (Mention your intentions) My holy Mother, I know that you were obedient to the will of God. In making this petition, I know that God’s will is more perfect than mine. So, grant that I may receive God’s grace with humility like you. As my final request, I ask that you pray for me to increase in faith in our risen Lord; I ask that you pray for me to increase in hope in our risen Lord; I ask that you pray for me to increase in love for the risen Jesus! Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. PRAYER OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, didst prepare a worthy dwelling place for thy Son, we beseech thee that, as by the foreseen death of this, thy Son, thou didst preserve her from all stain, so too thou wouldst permit us, purified through her intercession, to come unto thee. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son, who livest and reignest with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen. PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION O most Holy Virgin, immaculate in body and spirit, look kindly on me as I implore your powerful intercession. O most Holy Mother, receive my prayers as I present them to God. (State your intention here) O Mary, Mother of Jesus and our Mother, you intercede for us with your Son. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen. (This article is part of a series that will appear over the course of this year on the Monthly Devotions of the Church’s year). During the month of December, the Church once again turns her attention to the Blessed Virgin Mary and, in particular, her Immaculate Conception. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
To become the mother of the Savior, Mary “was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role.” The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as “full of grace.” In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God’s grace. Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, “full of grace” through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception. That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Pope Pius IX proclaimed in 1854: The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin. The “splendor of an entirely unique holiness” by which Mary is “enriched from the first instant of her conception” comes wholly from Christ: she is “redeemed, in a more exalted fashion, by reason of the merits of her Son.” The Father blessed Mary more than any other created person “in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” and chose her “in Christ before the foundation of the world, to be holy and “blameless before him in love.” The Fathers of the Eastern tradition call the Mother of God “the All-Holy” (Panagia), and celebrate her as “free from any stain of sin, as though fashioned by the Holy Spirit and formed as a new creature.” By the grace of God Mary remained free of every personal sin her whole life long. (CCC #490-493) This understanding of the Church points out a few important points. The first is that Mary was prepared for her role as the Mother of the Savior in a particular way. We know that God not only calls people to certain tasks, but also calls them and then supplies those things necessary for the completion of that task. In the case of the Blessed Mother, she is given a place in salvation history like none other – to be the Mother of God. In His mercy, then, God prepares her for such a role by preserving her from the sin of Adam and Eve, original sin, so that she may be the Immaculate Mother of God, free of all sin and the defilement which comes from sin. This preservation from original and actual sin takes place at the very moment of her conception – hence, the title “the Immaculate Conception.” Secondly, the definition of the Catechism points out, in the words of Pope Pius IX, that this is “a singular grace and privilege” and flows from the merits of Christ Himself, in other words, Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception and the specific prevenient grace that is involved is a grace which flows from Christ and His own merits. Finally, we see that “the Father blessed Mary more than any other created person…” There is no one like the Blessed Mother and no one who ever will be like her – she is unique and exalted above all other creatures. The Collect of the Mass for the Immaculate Conception beautifully sums up both the dogma of the Immaculate Conception as well as how such a dogma applies to us: O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son, grant, we pray, that, as you preserved her from every stain by virtue of the Death of you Son, which you foresaw, so, through her intercession, we, too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. For reading, perhaps the best place to start is with the Apostolic Constitution in which Blessed Pope Pius IX infallibly defines the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, Ineffabilis Deus. As has been mentioned before, the book “The Glories of Mary” by St. Alphonsus Liguori can be a helpful book with much to consider. You may also want to consider “The Song of Bernadette” which relays the story of St. Bernadette of Lourdes, to whom the Blessed Mother appears and says that she is the Immaculate Conception. (This article is part of a series that will appear over the course of this year on the Monthly Devotions of the Church’s year). |
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