Mary and Sin



Dear Catholic Exchange:

Although a long-time Catholic, I did not have the answer when the following question came up.

If Mary was conceived without sin, please address the following:

&#8226 Would this not make Mary “perfect” as she was without sin? I thought only Jesus was perfect.

&#8226 Or was Mary stained with Original Sin and it was removed when the Angel Gabriel appeared to her?

Thanks,

Paul Carrozzo

Dear Mr. Carrozzo,

Peace in Christ!

Mary and Jesus are both perfect but for entirely different reasons. Jesus is perfect by virtue of His being the second person of the Eternal Trinity. He is God and is perfect by nature.

Mary owes her perfection entirely to Jesus. Jesus made her perfect because she was to be His mother and His vessel for entry into the human race. Mary is perfect only by grace.

God, by a singular privilege of grace, made Mary pure and full of grace from the moment of her conception. This is why we call the doctrine the “Immaculate Conception.” If you would like more information on this doctrine please follow the hyperlink to our FAITH FACT. Hopefully this will answer all of your questions.

Please feel free to call us at 1-800-MY FAITH (693-2484) or email us with any further questions on this or any other subject. If you have found this service to be helpful, please consider a donation to CUF to help sustain this service. You can call the toll-free line, visit us at www.cuf.org, or send your contribution to the address below. Thank you for your support as we endeavor to “support, defend, and advance the efforts of the teaching Church.”

United in the Faith,

Eric Stoutz

Information Specialist

Catholics United for the Faith

827 North Fourth Street

Steubenville, OH 43952

800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)



Editor's Note: To submit a faith question to Catholic Exchange, email href=”mailto:faithquestions@catholicexchange.com”>faithquestions@catholicexchange.com. Please note that all email submitted to Catholic Exchange becomes the property of Catholic Exchange and may be published in this space. Published letters may be edited for length and clarity. Names and cities of letter writers may also be published. Email addresses of viewers will not normally be published.

Subscribe to CE
(It's free)

Go to Catholic Exchange homepage

MENU