As we look at the prayers in the Roman Missal for the Immaculate Conception we find them to be full of doctrine that explains the significance of this mystery. We are told in the Collect that: "you (God) preserved her (Our Lady) from every stain by virtue of the Death of your Son, which you foresaw, so, through her intercession, we too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence." In the Prayer over the Offerings we pray: "and grant that, as we profess her, on account of your prevenient grace, to be untouched by any stain of sin, so, through her intercession we may be freed from all our faults." The Preface teaches: "She, the most pure Virgin, was to bring forth a Son, the innocent Lamb who would wipe away our offences; you placed her above all others to be for your people an advocate of grace and a model for holiness." Lastly, in the Prayer after Communion, we ask: "May the Sacrament we have received, O Lord our God, heal in us the wounds of that fault from which in a singular way you preserved Blessed Mary in her Immaculate Conception." All of this teases out the implications of the angel's words to Mary in the Gospel: "Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you." (Lk 1: 28) and "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God." (Lk 1: 30) Clearly, the privilege granted to Our Lady was not merely for her benefit. It also serves to make more efficacious her intercession for the Church and mediates more effectively the mercy of God. Let us use this opportunity to renew our faith and trust in God's providential love and the prayers of Our Lady.
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