The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.  From today’s Gospel reading.

It has always made sense to me that Mary was concieved without the stain of original sin. Mary has to be ‘full of grace” in order to contain Jesus in her womb. Only a sacred vessel can possibly contain the second person of the Trinity.

Monsignor Pope has an excellent post On The Fittingness and Faithfulness of the Immaculate Conception.

Today I celebrate the second anniversary of my 28.5th birthday. It is something that I feel most unworthy of. I also feel unworthy of the many good, and generous, wishes posted on facebook. Thank you all!

Here is a little something from me to thee. A clip from one of my favorite movies The Song of Bernadette. The clip contains the moment when Bernadette reveals that the lady that appears to her said, I am the Immaculate Conception.