Pope marks Feast of Immaculate Conception: “God gives great gifts, but leaves us free to accept them”
Leo XIV recites the Angelus from the Apostolic Palace. ‘Let us express our joy, for the immaculate beauty of the Mother of God.’ Mary's “yes” is “wonderful” and can be emulated ‘in prayer and in concrete works, from the most extraordinary gestures to daily services.’
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Today, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Leo XIV appeared at the Apostolic Palace at noon for the recitation of the Angelus. He reflected on Mary’s unique grace: “She was granted the extraordinary gift of a heart completely pure, in view of an even greater miracle – the coming into the world, as man, of Christ the Saviour.” This, he said, is a “great” gift from God, freely accepted and renewed in Baptism, for which we are called today to rejoice.
Addressing the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square, adorned for Advent, the Pope urged: “Let us express our joy.” This joy, he explained, springs from God’s desire for Mary to be “full of innocence and holiness” so that she could receive His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. The Pope recalled the angel’s greeting to Mary: “Rejoice,” to which she responded: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord.”
Quoting St Augustine, he said: “Mary believed, and what she believed came to pass” (Sermo 215, 4). The fullness of grace given to the young woman of Nazareth bore fruit because she freely embraced God’s plan. “God often acts in this way,” the Pope noted. “He gives great gifts, but leaves us free to accept them or not. Let us also believe, so that what was fulfilled in her may also benefit us.”
Today’s feast, he continued, invites us not only to rejoice in the spotless beauty of the Mother of God but also to believe as she believed, giving our generous assent to the mission to which the Lord calls us. The miracle for Mary occurred at her conception; it is renewed for us in Baptism. “Mary, by special grace, welcomed Jesus within herself and gave Him to humanity,” he said. “Through Baptism, Christ comes to dwell in us, and we live united with Him.” Quoting Pope Francis, he added: “We are called to collaborate in the Church, each according to his or her condition, in the transformation of the world.”
The Immaculate Conception and Baptism are both great gifts from God. “The ‘yes’ of the Mother of the Lord is marvellous, but so too can ours be – renewed daily with gratitude, humility and perseverance,” said Leo XIV. How can we emulate this? “Through prayer and concrete works of love – from extraordinary gestures to the most ordinary daily commitments – so that everywhere Jesus may be known, welcomed and loved, and His salvation may reach all.”
After reciting the Marian prayer, the Pope invited the faithful to join him at 4 p.m. in Piazza di Spagna, Rome, for the traditional homage to the Immaculate Virgin Mary. He recalled that the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was proclaimed in 1854 by Pope Pius IX, affirming that God willed Mary to be “entirely immune from the stain of original sin.” Concluding, Pope Leo XIV said: “We entrust our constant prayer for peace to her intercession.”
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08/12/2023 14:21
08/12/2022 14:36
