An Invitation for Catholics For Free Choice (the rest of our readers can tune this out, if you choose, unless you want to learn what kind of members CFFC really has, in the combox):

Gabriel's Message

The angel Gabriel from heaven came
His wings as drifted snow
His eyes as flame
"All hail" said he "thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favoured lady," Gloria!

"For known a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honor thee,
Thy Son shall be Emmanuel,
By seers foretold
Most highly favoured lady," Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head
"To me be as it pleaseth God," she said,
"My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name."
Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ was born
In Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn
And everyone throughout the world forever saved
Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!

Recorded by Sting; traditional melody; words by Sabine Baring Gould

"Most highly favoured lady."

Today Catholics celebrate the Holy Day of the Immaculate Conception. Many Catholics mistakenly believe (as I once did) that this refers to the conception of Mary's son, Jesus, but it doesn't. It refers to her own conception "without original sin or its stain," without flaw or corrupt nature of any kind, one "full of grace," not half-full or a quarter-full of grace (as my priest friend said today).

This is not a doctrine lesson nor is it the invitation to Catholics of Free Choice, at least not in its entirety. Nor am I looking to stir up evangelicals in the debate about overemphasis on Mary (for a former-evangelical's explanation on that topic, Mark Shea said it best: "No Mary, no human nature for Christ. No human nature for Christ, no death on the cross. No death, no resurrection. No resurrection, no salvation.").

The invitation is to realize that she is the "Most highly favoured lady," favoured by God, in His plan for her, from the moment of her own conception.

And that it's the reason why Catholics celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

Not the Immaculate Implantation of Mary.

Or the Immaculate Embryonic Stage of Mary.

Or the Immaculate Fetal Development of Mary.

Or the Immaculate Viability of Mary.

Or the Immaculate Sentience of Mary.

Or the Immaculate Birth of Mary.


Just God's age-old, little reminder for Catholics For Free Choice.


(first posted on 12/8/2005)