Mary is special and unique. Because of this, the Catholic Church has always honored Mother Mary in special ways. One of these special ways is the celebration of the feast of the Immaculate Conception every December 8. It is a holiday of obligation.
On February 11, 1858, Bernadette Soubirous, a fourteen year old French peasant girl went with her sister and a friend to gather sticks for firewood outside the town of Lourdes. As Bernadette stooped down to get sticks, she heard a noise like a gust of wind. She looked up and saw a beautiful lady dressed in white. The lady told Bernadette to go back to the same place every day.
"I am the Immaculate Conception", replied the beautiful Lady to Bernadette's question asking who she was.
After some time, Bernadette realized that the lady appearing to her was the Blessed Virgin Mary. At first, no one believed Bernadette. But, later, several people who prayed with great faith were cured at the place. A shrine was built, and it immediately become world-famous. Until now, it is still visited by thousands of people.
Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her birth is surrounded with a mystery of holiness and is distinguished by unique privileges. Unlike other descendants of Adam and Eve, she is born without the original sin. She is pure, holy, beautiful and glorious. She is adorned with all the special graces for God had chosen her to be the Mother of Jesus.
We think about her who keeps helping all who love Jesus. We think of her being special and unique and we try to be special,too, in our own little way. We can be special to our parents,family, friends and even to people we do not know or who do not know us. We are called to share in these privileges through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Being more fully and truly "human" than we are, Mother Mary can appreciate our human trials and failures.
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"I am the Immaculate Conception", replied the beautiful Lady to Bernadette's question asking who she was.
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| Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception |
After some time, Bernadette realized that the lady appearing to her was the Blessed Virgin Mary. At first, no one believed Bernadette. But, later, several people who prayed with great faith were cured at the place. A shrine was built, and it immediately become world-famous. Until now, it is still visited by thousands of people.
Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her birth is surrounded with a mystery of holiness and is distinguished by unique privileges. Unlike other descendants of Adam and Eve, she is born without the original sin. She is pure, holy, beautiful and glorious. She is adorned with all the special graces for God had chosen her to be the Mother of Jesus.
We think about her who keeps helping all who love Jesus. We think of her being special and unique and we try to be special,too, in our own little way. We can be special to our parents,family, friends and even to people we do not know or who do not know us. We are called to share in these privileges through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Being more fully and truly "human" than we are, Mother Mary can appreciate our human trials and failures.
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