I always loved the statement The Virgin Mary made when she appeared in Lourdes: "I AM THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION". It's such a bold and beautiful statement.
But what does it mean? She was immaculately conceived but to BE the conception? What is the meaning there? I found a good explanation here.
First,
we note another title of Our Lady which is also a name: Mother of God. We do
not merely say that Mary “mothered God,” but that her very identity is “Mother
of God.” In a similar way, the Virgin has claimed not merely that she “has been
immaculately conceived,” but that she is the “Immaculate Conception.”
The
point here is that this is not simply an event in her life, but it is part of
her very identity. Who Mary is, in the providence of God, is wrapped up in her
identity as Mother of God and her title as The Immaculate. It is perhaps on
this account that the most popular images of Mary under the title of “Our Lady
of the Immaculate Conception” do not picture her in the act of being conceived
(something which would be terribly impious), but rather show her fully grown.
Sacred art witnesses to this fact – the dogma of the Immaculate Conception is
not merely about an event in Mary’s life, but gives us an insight into her very
identity!Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. From the view at Oxford, we had nearly 200 at last night's vigil and maybe 80-90 at the Mass in the morning. Not a bad turnout all in all. As a matter of fact, some people were downright happy and excited about the feast day.
I don't know what that's all about but it's gotta be a good thing!
