Despite what some people may think, the Immaculate Conception isn’t about Jesus being conceived. It’s all about Mary and how, from the very moment she existed, she was kept free from sin. Why? Because God was prepping her to be the mother of God: perfectly ready to carry Jesus, the Savior of the world. 

Fr. Matthew Widder joined The Inner Life to chat about why this feast is so important. Even though it officially became a dogma in 1854, the Church had been celebrating it for centuries before. 

But Wait… Isn’t This About Jesus?

Nope! It’s easy to mix this up with the Annunciation (March 25th), but let’s do the math: December 8th to December 25th = three weeks. This is about Mary being conceived without original sin. She’s the Ark of the New Covenant, totally pure and ready to bring Jesus into the world. 

Mary's Powerful Intercession: A Real-Life Story

One caller, Denise, shared how Mary totally came through for her. Her teenage daughter was struggling with anxiety and self-harm, and Denise felt helpless. While sitting in the ER, she prayed desperately. That’s when she heard Mary’s voice say, “You haven’t given her to me.” It was midnight, December 8th. Denise handed her daughter over to Mary in prayer, and her daughter never self-harmed again. 

Fast forward, her daughter got pregnant at 19, but that baby ended up being the biggest blessing of all. Mary kept showing up, guiding the family through every challenge. Now her daughter is thriving. 🙏💙

What’s the Big Takeaway?

December 8th is a celebration of God’s epic plan and Mary’s yes to being part of it. Go to Mass, say a Hail Mary, and just take a minute to thank her for her intercession in your life. She’s always there, ready to point you to Jesus. 🌟

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