Bishop's Message: Advent and the Immaculate Conception

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Brothers and Sisters:

Advent is upon us - a time to prepare our hearts for the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and his return at the end of time.

The penitential nature of the season of Advent allows us time to reflect on our personal weaknesses that prevent us from fully encountering Christ. During Advent, in listening to God’s word, in the hymns we sing, and in the prayers we offer, we focus our attention upon the birth of the Savior who is coming. Let us embrace this sacred time so that God’s graces penetrate our minds and hearts knowing that Christ is found in the Holy Eucharist and is always near.

This month we also recognize the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in salvation history. We celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary on December 8, a Holy Day of Obligation. In 1854, Pope Pius IX's solemn declaration in his encyclical, "Ineffabilis Deus," clarified that Mary was conceived free from original sin and therefore she was granted this extraordinary privilege because of her unique role as the Mother of God. Uniquely human, Mary, born without sin, is a model for all humanity in her holiness and purity.

Let us recognize Christ in every moment of our lives and in every person we encounter this season; and let us give thanks to our Blessed Mother for her “yes” to God’s plan. May we too enter this season saying “yes” to God’s invitation to be one with him.

O come, o come, Emmanuel!