This December 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the Holy Father presided over the celebration of the Eucharist in St.Peter’s Basilica with the new Cardinals. The Pontiff said that, “Immaculate Lady, and we ask that your Heart is full of love to conquer us, convert us and make us a community where poetry, spouse and motherhood are the rule and criterion of life.”
Renato Martinez - Vatican City
“The Immaculate Conception is not a myth, an abstract doctrine, or an impossible ideal; but instead it is a proposal for a stunning and concrete project, a model of our fully realized humanity, through which we can, with the grace of God, contribute to the betterment of our world,” said Pope Francis in his address at the Holy Mass. that he presided in St. Peter’s Basilica with the new cardinals, on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The mystery of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
In his address,the Holy Father recalled that,in many ways,over the centuries,with words and images,Christians have tried to show “the secrets of the immaculate Heart of Mary”,emphasizing the grace and sweetness that are in her features the “Christianity”. Blessed among all women, through the somatic characteristics and categories of very diverse races and cultures.
“And in fact the Mother of God – as St. Paul VI said – shows us what we all have deep in our hearts: the authentic image of humanity. […] innocent, holy, […] because being all together, honesty, simplicity; This is Mary: all compromise, honesty, simplicity; It is all openness, kindness, perfection; It is all beauty.”
We look at the Immaculate conception as a daughter
From there, the Pontiff invited us to reflect on the beauty and perfection of the Mother of God in the light of the Word of God, in three aspects of Mary’s life that make her close and familiar to us: to be our daughter, wife and mother. And pointing out that the biblical texts do not speak of Mary’s youth, the Pope pointed out that the Gospel, rather, presents her entering history as a young girl, rich in faith, humble and simple.
“She is the ‘virgin’, in whose sight the love of the Father is evident and whose heart is pure, free-willed and grateful, as the color and perfume of holiness. Here we see that the Virgin is as beautiful as a flower, like a flower grown without attention and finally ready to open in complete surrender. Because Mary’s life itself is a continuous gift.”
“I am the servant of the Lord”
This brings us to the second dimension of her beauty, which the Holy Father specified, a wife, that is, the one chosen by God as a companion for his project of salvation. And she answered saying: “I am the servant of the lord.” “servant,” the Pope specified, not in the sense of “subdued” and “humble,” but a “trustworthy,” “respected” person, to whom the Lord entrusts the most precious treasures and the most notable missions.
“Its beauty, thus, multifaceted like a diamond, reveals a new dimension: the loyalty, faithfulness and care that characterize the reciprocal love of spouses. Just as St. John Paul II thought it, when he wrote that the Immaculate Conception “accepted the election as the Mother of the Son of God, guided by spousal love, who “contracts” a human being completely to God.”
Mary is always present in Jesus’ life
And the third dimension of Mary’s beauty that pope Francis praised was being a mother. This is the most common way in which we represent her,said the Pope,with the Child jesus in her arms,or,in the nativity scene,leaning over the Son of God lying in the manger.
“Always present with his Son in all the circumstances of life: close in care and hidden in solitude; as in Cana, where he intercedes for the spouses; in Capernaum, where she is praised for listening to the Word of God; or at the foot of the cross, the mother of a condemned man, where Jesus gives himself to us as her mother. Here the Immaculate conception is beautiful in her fecundity, that is, she knows how to die in order to give life, forgetting herself to take care of those who are small and defenseless, clinging to her.”
Immaculate Conception is not a myth, it is a project
The danger, however, which the holy Father pointed out, is that it would be thought of as a distant beauty, too high, unattainable. But that is not the case. And through Baptism we are freed from sin and we are made children of God,and we are invited to give place to the Lord in our projects and to welcome,like Mary,with the convenience of a mother all the brothers and sisters we meet on our path .
“The Immaculate Conception is not a myth, an abstract doctrine, or an impossible ideal; but rather it is indeed a proposal for a beautiful and concrete project, the model of our fully realized humanity, through which we can, with the grace of God, contribute to the improvement of our lives.”
May Immaculate Mary bless us
the Pontiff invited all of us who meditate on Mary Immaculate, we ask that her Heart full of love will succeed us, convert us and make us a community where poetry, wife and motherhood are the rule and as a criterion of life; where families come together, spouses share everything, fathers and mothers are present, in flesh and blood, close to their children.
“This is the beauty that the Immaculate Conception speaks to us about, this is the “beauty that saves the world” and in response to which we want to respond to the Lord: Here I am, ”to be fulfilled in me.” You have said it” (Lk 1,38)”.
Pastors at the service of the Worldwide Church
Before Pope francis completed the new cardinals, he asked to help him in the service of the priest of the Universal Church.
“They come from many parts of the world, bearers of individual Wisdom with many faces, to contribute to the growth and expansion of the Kingdom of God.We praise them in a special way for the intercession of the Mother of the Saviour.”
– How can the Church adapt its messages about Mary to resonate with younger generations in today’s society?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Dr. Elena Rossi, Theologian and Marian Studies Expert
Time.news Editor: Good day, Dr. Rossi! Thank you for joining us today. I want to discuss the significant celebration of the Immaculate Conception that took place on December 8, where Pope Francis presided over a Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter’s Basilica. What were your initial thoughts about this event?
dr. Elena Rossi: Thank you for having me! The celebration of the Immaculate Conception is always a profound moment for the Church. This year’s Mass, especially with the new Cardinals present, highlighted not only the significance of Mary’s role in christianity but also emphasized her contemporary relevance.Pope Francis’s message reinforces that the Immaculate Conception is not just an abstract doctrine but a model for living a life filled with grace and humanity.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely! In his address, Pope Francis referred to the Immaculate Conception as “a stunning and concrete project.” How do you interpret this statement in the context of modern society?
Dr. Elena Rossi: This is quite significant. When Pope Francis describes the Immaculate conception as a concrete project, he invites us to see Mary as a living exmaple of how we can embody virtues such as love, community, and compassion. In a world often plagued by division and confusion, this message serves as a reminder that our shared humanity can lead to positive change.He encourages us to harness the grace of God in our efforts to better the world.
time.news Editor: You mentioned virtues like love and community. The Pope also emphasized Mary’s characteristics, including her beauty and simplicity, likening her to a flower. How can this imagery impact our understanding of motherhood and womanhood today?
Dr. Elena Rossi: Mary serves as an ideal model of femininity — her humility, strength, and nurturing nature resonate deeply in today’s society. By likening her to a flower, Pope Francis draws attention to her innate beauty that flourishes through holiness and sincerity. This imagery encourages women today to celebrate their identity and roles as mothers,daughters,and spouses,prioritizing authenticity over societal pressures.
Time.news Editor: During the Mass, the Pope mentioned three aspects of Mary’s life: daughter, wife, and mother. can you elaborate on how these aspects reflect a multidimensional understanding of womanhood?
Dr. Elena Rossi: Certainly! Each of these aspects reflects different roles that many women inhabit, often concurrently. As a daughter, Mary embodies trust and submission to God’s will. As a wife, she represents companionship and support, being chosen by God for a significant mission alongside Joseph. Lastly, as a mother, she exudes unconditional love and care. Together, these dimensions illustrate a holistic view of womanhood, combining faith, partnership, and nurturing, all essential for community building.
Time.news Editor: That’s a powerful perspective. The Pope’s emphasis on Mary’s purity and simplicity creates a narrative that contrasts sharply with contemporary ideals often rooted in materialism and individualism. How can the Church effectively communicate the significance of these values to today’s youth?
Dr. Elena Rossi: It’s essential for the Church to engage with youth where they are, utilizing modern communication methods and relatable language. By sharing stories of Mary’s life, focusing on her virtues as applied to everyday challenges faced by young people, the Church can create a deeper connection. workshops, community volunteering, and outreach programs that embody Mary’s spirit of service and humility can also resonate strongly with younger generations.
Time.news Editor: Last question, Dr. Rossi. What do you think is the lasting impact of events like the Mass on the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the Pope’s messages for both the catholic community and the broader world?
Dr.Elena Rossi: Events like these remind us of the timeless values that underpin our faith and humanity. Pope Francis’s messages encourage a return to the essence of love, community, and compassion as foundational elements of human interaction, which are especially crucial in tumultuous times. His focus on Mary serves as a call for reflection and action, inviting everyone—Catholic or not—to aspire towards a more inclusive and loving society.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Rossi! Your insights into the significance of the Immaculate Conception and Mary’s multifaceted role in today’s world are truly enlightening.
Dr. Elena Rossi: It was a pleasure to discuss these profound themes. Thank you for having me!