"In 1854, Pope Pius IX proclaimed that Mary, by a special grace, was preserved from original and personal sin from her own conception in her mother's womb, in view of her role as the Mother of God. This grace bore immeasurable fruit for all of us in Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross. On December 8 - a Holy Day of Obligation - we ask Mary to pray for us, so we, too, receive Jesus into our hearts with a faithful love like hers." [From Growing in Faith, December, 2023]