Happy Immaculate Conception!!

At right, we see (rather large, too) a picture of a mosaic in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. The church (whose rector, Monsignor Rossi, just happens to come from the Diocese of Scranton), which is the largest in the United States (the largest Catholic church, that is), is dedicated to our country's patroness, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

Today has been a solemnity for the entire Latin Church, and a holyday of obligation here in the States (so run out to Mass now, if you haven't yet been). It is a very important day, and "Immaculate Conception" is a very important title/concept, theologically.

What does it mean, exactly? Well, it does not have anything to do with the virginal conception of Jesus. For some reason, the movies always seem to get that wrong. No, the notion that Mary was a virgin at the time of Jesus' conception is called the "Virgin Birth." The precise meaning of "Immaculate Conception," as students of Latin will immediately realize, is that Mary (Mary) was conceived without stain (Latin "macula") of sin. In other words, Mary was exempt from original sin, which, with the exception of Jesus himself, is a unique trait in the world of human beings. That is the Catholic belief.

Essentially, this is our way of articulating an important point: That Mary really was "full of grace" in the way that the angel Gabriel described her (Luke 1:28). My understanding is that the original Greek term, Κεχαριτωμένη (kecharitomene), does carry a pretty specific meaning, which implies that the action of "being graced" by god has been accomplished completely. Granted, I am not a Greek scholar, really, but this has been my impression. There's also a non-Scriptural explanation, tantamount to this claim: It would not be fitting for the Word of God to enter into humanity in the womb of a sinner. Also, it is within the Word's power as Redeemer to apply the saving grace of His Passion, Death, and Resurrection to His mother "beforehand," since He Himself, as God, is outside of time.

It's complicated, but I think most Catholics have a good sense of what we mean by this and why we think it's important, even if that "good sense" (Latin: sensus fidelium) is sometimes difficult to articulate. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask in the comment box!

Otherwise, buona festa to all!