Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary

Mass Celebrated by Archbishop Denis Hart
at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne,
on Wednesday, 8th December, 2004, at 1.00pm

Introduction

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today we come to recall the Definition of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, an event which continues over 150 years to give glory to the Triune God.

Mary’s Immaculate Conception is the sign of the gracious love of the Father, the perfect expression of the redemption accomplished by the Son, and a beginning of a life completely open to the working of the Spirit.

As we call to mind our sins, let us ask the Lord that we, like Mary, will live in the light of Christ.

Homily

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It is with thankfulness that we recall the Definition 150 years ago by Blessed Pius IX of the fact that Mary was conceived free from original sin from the very moment of her conception and right throughout her life.

By that Definition, Blessed Pius IX indicated that this was among the truths handed by Christ to the apostles and which had been part of the consciousness of the whole Church. Down the centuries the conviction that Mary was preserved from every stain of sin from her conception was maintained, so that she is to be called ‘all holy’. This gained ground in liturgy and theology.

Pius IX said that Mary was “free from every stain of original sin”, that Mary had total freedom from all sin as well as being perfectly holy. In the Eastern tradition of the Church that holiness has been stressed and it is a motive for thankfulness today.

With the words of Bernadette we can pray, “Good Mother, have mercy on me; I give myself entirely to you, that you may give me to your dear Son, whom I wish to love with my whole heart. Good Mother, grant me a heart all aflame with Jesus.” ( Pope John Paul II, Lourdes, 15 th August, 2004. )

This is God’s gratuitous gift. It was in 1953 that Pope Pius XII spoke that this privilege was never granted to any other person. Mary’s Immaculate Conception comes because of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race. Indeed, the Second Vatican Council says, “The Church admires and exalts in Mary, the most excellent fruit of the redemption.” (Sacrosanctum Concilium. No. 103)

Dear friends, Mary, who pondered the Saviour in her heart and carried him for nine months, remains our powerful intercessor in heaven, totally free from sin, totally open to Jesus and mirror of our risen life shining in eternity, as Professor John MacAuley wrote in the Australian Hymn to Our Lady Help of Christians.

As we continue the Year of the Eucharist, pondering Jesus with Mary, we might well pray as Pope John Paul prayed at Lourdes, “Hail Mary, woman of faith, first of the disciples! Virgin Mother of the Church, help us always to account for the hope that is in us, with trust in human goodness and the Father’s love. Teach us to build up the world beginning from within: in the depths of silence and prayer, in the joy of fraternal love, in the unique fruitfulness of the Cross. May Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us now and always.”

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.