“Most highly favoured lady,” indeed.

I dare anyone to listen to this song and remain unmoved...

(originally published December 2005)

Caravaggio, “The Annunciation”, c. 1608 Oil painting from wood transferred to canvas, Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nancy

“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)

It’s one of the two Christmas songs that, every time I hear it, it leaves me dissolved in tears (stay tuned for the other one).

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 once said).

This is not a doctrine lesson nor is it an invitation to misguided groups like Catholics for 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, today, 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.

Or the Immaculate Personhood of Mary.

Just God's age-old, little reminder for Catholics For Choice. And everyone, really.

I’m adding a string of our original comments from 19 years ago, as written, typos and all…just to give a sense of the discussion this post generated then, and also a taste of what I hope someday to be able to reopen up again, here…(Achromic, if you’re listening still, we still love ya, girl… hope you are well…)

COMMENTS:

Wow that is intersting.... I never knew that you guys celabrated that.... I mean maybe I heard something about immaculate concseption but I always thought that it was about Jesus not Mary. I think that goes a long way in explaning why catholic's often believe that human life begins at conseption, it is in your cultural upbring. Hummm thanks for the info. it is always good to learn about someones belief and have things sort of click as to why this is like that.

achromic | 12.08.05 - 10:56 am

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Pope Benedict has declared a plenary indulgence for today. Do a google search: "Immaculate Conception Indulgence Pope Benedict." I wasn't able to copy & paste CWN website. It's important to take advantage of this... Oh Mary, concieved without sin, pray for us!

Anonymous | 12.08.05 - 12:58 pm

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1. Excellent point.

2. It's lost on CFFC, since they're not Catholic to begin with. I was once passing through an abortion rally with other FFL members, and we were approached by a woman with a clipboard and a bag full of CFFC buttons. She held out buttons to us and asked us to join CFFC. I said, "But I'm not Catholic." She said, "Oh, you don't have to be! We have atheists, agnostics, everybody! All you have to do is sign up and take a button!" They don't even charge DUES, for crying out loud!

So they're not even nominal Catholics, and of course anybody who thinks that they stand for choice rather than abortion is in for a rude awakening.

Christina | Homepage | 12.08.05 - 3:29 pm

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Wow, now THAT's an eyeopener. I did not know that. Talk about misrepresenting themselves. Talk about wolves in "Catholic clothing," to mangle a phrase. I knew Kissling was once either an owner or administrator of an abortion clinic, but this is pretty bad too.

Annie B. | Homepage | 12.08.05 - 5:11 pm

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"They don't even charge DUES, for crying out loud!"

Very funny. Christina.

When I was in the midst of telling my mother that I was pregnant, somehow the term, Immaculate Conception came into the volley of words. Now, mind you, neither of us was Catholic - she still isn't...yet - at the time.

I cannot remember exactly what my point was on the Immaculate Conception, to her perhaps my not wanting to out the man who I was pregnant by; but I knew that it had something to do with Jesus. It was years later that I understood how God preserved Our Blessed Lady from even the stain of sin.

Father, in his homily this morning, asked what boat Columbus sailed on. He said, "Santa Maria? That would be wrong -it was the Santa Maria de Conception" So much of the history of Our Lady, and much of our Catholic roots in this country have been left out of the history books.

Blessings -

Lee Anne | 12.08.05 - 6:52 pm

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Very nice post and I do hope that the so called "Catholics" for free choice get the invitation...of course they need to be literate and rational creatures to get the point. God bless, Dismas

Eric Dismas McNail | Homepage | 12.08.05 - 7:38 pm

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A friend of mine once made this joke referring to CFFC and other cafeteria Catholics -- It's "Catholics" with a "K" just like the krab.

Mary E | Homepage | 12.08.05 - 8:47 pm

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Mary E., that's a good chuckle!

Annie, I love this article.

I don't understand any one who claims to be both Christian (Catholic or other denomination) and pro-abortion. They have to be skipping the entire first chapter of Luke in the New Testament.

Our Lady was once an unwed mother - may she intercede for us.

Julie Shockley | Homepage | 12.09.05 - 11:16 am

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If only Mary had access to the morning-after pill, she could have avoided the terrible stigma of being a teenage mom. Maybe she could have gone to college and made something of her life. Sadly, she'll just have to settle for being the Mother of God....

(end sarcasm)

Annie, thanks for the reminder. Even those of us who are Protestants should remember that Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the immaculate conception of Jesus ... so your message is very timely.

Naaman | Homepage | 12.09.05 - 12:01 pm

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well far far too many people join groups they know nothing about. I will always remember my first encounter with a catholic (which you must remember I was in fourth grade and so was she):

ME: Don't you got a Pope guy that tells you what to do?

Her: No... no one tells us what to do.

ME: But don't you have a Pope that talks to G*d for you?

Her: No I talk to G*d.

ME: Well what does your Pope guy do?

Her: OO nothing he stays in Rome.

HEHEHE I didn't meet another catholic for over 10yrs. Unfortunatly I have met far to many adults that have as little understanding of their religion and the people that they give money to as these two fourth graders trying to figure out catholism. I think that is the hardest... and they are happy in their ignorance too..... which is annoying.

achromic | 12.09.05 - 12:06 pm

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Naaman, you're welcome but I'm a little confused by what you wrote. The Immaculate Conception refers to Mary's not Jesus' conception. Did you just mean to phrase it differently?

Annie B. | Homepage | 12.09.05 - 12:44 pm

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Annie I am willing to bet Naaman meant Jesus being conceived...

annmarie | Homepage | 12.09.05 - 1:43 pm

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Hey, Ann Marie, sorry we got cut off on the phone last night! I stayed on hold a long while, but had to go p-u my son and I thought maybe the line had gone dead anyway, and couldn't call you back! thanks for the call. It always makes my day. Thanks for the prayers too, as always also...

Annie B. | Homepage | 12.09.05 - 2:41 pm

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I mean maybe I heard something about immaculate concseption but I always thought that it was about Jesus not Mary.

Jesus was the Virgin Birth.

I think that goes a long way in explaning why catholic's often believe that human life begins at conseption, it is in your cultural upbring.

Christianity has always taught that abortion was wrong. In polemnic against the pagan Romans, the Church Fathers refuted arguments that they killed children in secret by pointing out that Christians did not procure abortions or expose their newborns. Avoiding this practices was so well established that they had no fears that the pagans would counter-claim that they did procure abortions.

Mary | 12.09.05 - 7:23 pm

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Achromic - I am Roman Catholic and PROUD to be one! In fact, I am a convert to the faith. The Pope does stay in Rome, for the most part, but he also does a LOT of work! The best thing about being Catholic is that it is the Church that Christ founded...and it has not erred in all these years.

I will not write, nor does any Catholic believe, that the Church is perfect. Indeed, since it is made up of people like me, it has a l-on-n-g way to go!! HA!

I met my first Catholic when I was two years old and have been fascinated with the faith ever since. It was not until I was in my mid thirties that I even knew I could BECOME a Catholic...but once I found out that they permitted people to join the faith, I signed up!

I give to all sorts of charities - not just to the Catholic Church - although I will tell you that the Church's Catholic Relief Services are great stewards with the money they receive - 93 % goes to the people they help and only 7 % to the administrators.

I am well aware of what the Church teaches - - I believe most people are not - and that would include those who are not Catholic. It always amazes me at the 'things' that people outside the Church believe the Church teaches.

Sorry...I did not mean to get on a jag - but I love the Church!

Blessings - Lee Anne

Lee Anne | 12.09.05 - 9:20 pm

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God bless you Lee Anne...I too Love the Catholic Church....this from one who couldn't stand ALL the rules....now I get it. I finally asked the "whys" and got the answers. I have never been more happier in my life. I have peace and joy...and I mean real peace and real joy...deep down in my soul...what a way to live. It truly is a miracle since I come from such an abusive upbringing.

That you Jesus for the pillar and foundation of the Truth...the Catholic Church.

annmarie | Homepage | 12.09.05 - 10:20 pm

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I'm a convert to the Catholic faith too... I had a rough upbringing... so much confusion, hopelessness, despair... well into my 30's...

Thank God for His Church... and asking the why's has opened my eyes, too. Life makes sense today (don't always feel joyful, but I know that there's a purpose and meaning... it's not random and groping in the dark, like before). It's like all those jagged edges are being made smooth, puzzle pieces discovered and put back in the right places... becoming whole and real...

I suffered from that 'contempt prior to investigation,' about the Church... thinking it was all about scarcity and no fun, prudeness and stuff. Oh man! It ain't about that at all (why didn't someone tell me sooner???)

What I've found in following Jesus and being in His church: abundance, freedom, peace, self mastery, healing, forgiveness, finding reason in suffering (can't have the resurrection without the cross...), offering our suffering up for God's glory, helping and serving others, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting prisoners, attending to orphans and widows...

I was so small before, so into me, capital M.E.... I ain't perfect, but I'm trying... and believe me, this is one of God's miracles, considering life before!

It's all such a mystery, too... how do you share this knowlege and experience with those who don't understand, don't believe?

Sarah M. | 12.09.05 - 11:19 pm

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LOL lee ann it is aways good to be proud of your faith. I believe in the wearing of ones heart on ones sleeve so to speak. I didn't mean tho to imply that belonging to something that one didn't understand however was just to the catholic's I meant it happens in all places where people feel like they must go in order to belong to their communty.

achromic | 12.10.05 - 4:45 am

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Achromic...we are community - man does not live alone. Right here on this blog, we are a little family. We have traditions and we have joy and pain, we suffer with one another's sufferings and we rejoice with one another's joy.

The Church that Christ founded is no different - that is also family.

You write - "I didn't mean tho to imply that belonging to something that one didn't understand however was just to the catholic's I meant it happens in all places where people feel like they must go in order to belong to their communty."

The deal is. I DO understand my faith. I do know the doctrine of the Catholic Church - I know what she teaches, I know how she breathes. I do not feel that I 'must' go in order to belong to my community - it IS my community.

Just three days ago, I was speaking with my mother about people and their faith lives. I said that many people who attend church on a regular basis have no idea what their church community teaches. I.e. - many times you hear a person talking about finding a 'church home'. A place where they would be comfortable worshipping in. A good preacher, people who are similar to them in style and ideology, a great choir, etc.

We in the Catholic Church don't go for the 'style, choir, preacher' thing. We go to worship God and there is such a diversity in the pews in our churches that one wonders what we all have in common.

The answer is Jesus Christ. We know Him to be in the Sacraments - physically in the Eucharist, but also in all the other sacraments of the Church.

You had a childhood experience with the Catholic Church...you are now an adult. I encourage you, if you are interested, to talk 'catholicsm' with someone of the Catholic Faith that really knows their religion. You can go on line to "Catholic Answers" or check out the Catechism of the Catholic Church. You might be very surprised to learn what the Church teaches.

I don't wear my heart on my sleeve about my faith...I am so humbly, delighted, and excited that God called me home to His Church, where I can worship Him. I wear my heart all over me!!!

Blessings -

Lee Anne | 12.10.05 - 12:13 pm

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Lee Anne, I'd agree with most of what you say. Except for "We in the Catholic Church don't go for the 'style, choir, preacher' thing."

Would that that were 100% true, but sadly, at least in my neck of the woods, it isn't. Especially as regards the topic of abortion and being really pro-life.

Annie B. | Homepage | 12.11.05 - 1:36 pm

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Lee Ann, I am not at all intersted in becoming catholic or any other type of christian. I try and learn about your culture in hopes that I can combat my extrem prejudice againt it as a whole. But not as a way to follow a spirtual path. I am quiet happy with my understanding of G*d, it doesn't "make" me happy but it does give me comfort. I do not usually talk about what I believe about G*d here because I have seen many of you write some things that would make me believe that all you would do is try and "prove" me wrong. This will not add to my understand and or help me in my endevor to bridge some of the diffrences in our cultures. Much more likely it would just hurt my feelings and only feed on my prejudices and fears. I know that you feel that Jesus is the only path..... and that you are not alone..... but I do not and courosity doesn't mean conversion.

achromic | 12.11.05 - 8:46 pm

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"We in the Catholic Church don't got in for the 'style, choir, preacher"

Annie B - this is what came after..."We go to worship God and there is such a diversity in the pews in our churches that one wonders what we all have in common."

There are many styles of worship, even in the Catholic Church and I do believe, although I am on the right of orthodoxy, that there is room for that in the Church.

I wish I heard more against abortion in the Church. There are many women in the Catholic Church who are post abortive and the priests are well aware of that. I wish they would speak about being truly pro-life, i.e. about contraception. It does seem to be a dirty little secret...

I have a very close friend who speaks in parishes in Western Washington, with the permission of the Archbishop. When she speaks, women and men in the church are pretty identifiable as to which was are p.a. and which ones have been deeply touched by abortion. Her ministry is vital - so we are blessed to have her as a Project Rachel spokesperson in our area.

Please pray that more women will be able to speak out and that they will be able to speak in parishes that need to hear that there is forgiveness...

Blessings -

Lee Anne | 12.11.05 - 11:15 pm

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Achromic - I think you misunderstood what I was writing - I was not writing that you would or should convert; simply writing that what you had was a child experience and now that you are an adult, you may want to know what Catholicism teaches. I know that I have studied and continue to study other religions - that does not make me want to convert to them - I am simply a curious person.

We all know God on a very personal level. I just happen to be very vocal about God and how He fits into my daily life. I do know that the only that I know for one hundred percent sure about you is that you are well loved by God.

blessings -

Lee Anne | 12.11.05 - 11:19 pm

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Lee Anne, we're in agreement on different styles of worship. That wasn't what I referred to, though. I referred to those who want a wealthy-looking church building and grounds, with tons of flower beds and expensive plazas with expensive landscaping and shade trees and imported Italian marble to walk on, to ooh and aahh over, and the most expensive pipe organ that fills the front walls of the church to the ceiling and gives us the best organ sound in the county, and fancy robes for all our choir members, so we can have our daughters' weddings here to get compliments from all the family about, and expensive social halls so that we can have parties with only our fellow parishioners, so we can make sure that no disharmony from "outside" comes in, least of all those pesky pregnant teens in our own town who'd give us Catholics a bad name if they ever went public or --God forbid--we as church help them instead of hoping secretly that they abort so we don't have to bear the shame that our own daughters are getting pregnant out of wedlock and by the way, we must make sure the preacher on the pulpit never talks about this, so we can say we have a "wonderful parish" and a "hip, with-it, modern priest" who never makes us feel uncomfortable or questions our religiosity.

That's what I meant by "style, choir and preacher." People will leave this parish I'm in if the priests ever really "got prolife" and started doing the above that these parishioners don't want. If they ever rocked the boat like that, these parishioners would withhold the money AND write the bishop to run these priests out on a rail and the priests KNOW IT.

Annie B. | Homepage | 12.12.05 - 10:57 am

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Annie B ... GOTCHA! I understand...and what you are writing about is a travesty. The doors of the church are closed to any of those who do not support the 'style' of thinking that these parishioners have.

Last summer our priest gave a homily that started out with "A man came to me and told me that he wanted to get married and he needed me, his priest, to know that his intended liked coming to church but that they had a problem with pro-life talks. It made his fiance uncomfortable. I told him he SHOULD be uncomfortable! Uncomfortable that abortion is a very real thing in our church, uncomfortable that he does not like the teachings of the church...in short, that we need to examine ourselves and even though things may be uncomfortable, it is what God teaches." (paraphrasing big time - our priest is very eloquent!)

After Mass I thanked him, as did other parishioners for speaking about the A issue. He said he does it only once a year because he gets too many complaints...so I hear you about the priests feeling their hands are tied - either about the A. issue or the economy of the parish.

Build a beautiful church to rival the other churches...but don't speak to the reason we have the church...yep, gotcha...Blessings -

Lee Anne | 12.12.05 - 11:04 am