At times we as Catholics are invited to explain the major beliefs of our faith to a sincere inquirer. We may take so much of our faith for granted that we find it difficult to explain it to someone else. A situation like this can be a wakeup call, an invitation for us to learn more about what we Catholics believe – what the elements of our faith truly mean. Yet, over and above explaining our beliefs and practices to others is our genuine, everyday witness of what it is to be a Catholic.
If you were asked to describe the dogma of Mary’s Immaculate Conception, how would you respond? If you find yourself struggling to do so, take heart in the fact that the Catholic Church herself struggled for centuries to explain it clearly. It was Pope Pius IX in 1854 that declared for our belief:
“The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of the almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.” (#491 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.)
The challenges to understand or explain various aspects of our faith, whether they are about our beliefs, or various Catholic liturgical and prayer practices, are golden opportunities for our own further exploration and understanding. There are ample resources available to us. We have many opportunities to grow!
Beyond any explanation of the Mary’s Immaculate Conception, is the invitation its feastday offers us to foster an even deeper relationship with Mary, mother of God. In truth, Mary is also our mother! In entrusting his mother Mary to the care of John the Apostle, Jesus reveals that he is sharing his mother with each of us. (John 19:26,27) Yes, Mary is our mother too! The Gospels and motherhood itself offer us great insight into our personal experiences of Mary as our mother. Ponder for example, Mary’s intervention at the Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-3) or see Mary standing at the foot of the cross of Jesus on Golgotha.
Perhaps we can recall experiences in our lives, even as children, when we were introduced to Marian devotions and prayers. For me, recalling the weekly novena in honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal during my grade school years, means more for me now than it did then – which was to provide an early dismissal from classes so we could pray in the parish church. The novena’s refrain “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you,” is more helpful to me now. It is especially so when I consider that even though Mary did not suffer the consequences of original sin, she, like us, had the freedom to follow God’s word or not – even when she did not fully understand it.
Through our baptism, we too are cleansed of the burden of original sin and are free in our response to accept or reject the call of God in our lives. We can always go to Mary with any need or in times of bitter suffering and rejection. So turn to Mary. She understands us. As at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, she may then advise us, as she said to the waiters, “Do whatever He tells you.”
The Feast of Mary’s Immaculate Conception is a celebration of the whole Catholic Church but it is especially so for us M.S.C.’s and the entire Chevalier Family. On December 8, 1854 our founder Father Jules Chevalier and Father Maugenest completed their novena to the Immaculate Virgin Mary. They promised the blessed virgin that, if their prayers were answered, they would call themselves Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and honor her in a very special manner. Their faith-filled intention was to obtain from the heart of Mary’s divine Son, a clear sign of God’s will and the means to begin a new religious society. Through the goodness of God and Mary’s intercession, their prayers were answered.
December 8, 1854, is the foundation day of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart with Mary Immaculate as its foundress. With this feast, we are celebrating 171 years of making the Heart of Jesus known and loved everywhere! It is our prayer and mission that everyone may come to believe in God’s deep love for them and come to know our holy mother Mary as Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Join us in prayerful gratitude and celebration of our missionary vocation, our world-wide presence and all those who support our mission.
Sister Lorraine Molchanow, MSC
November 16, 2025
