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:
• Would this not make Mary “perfect” as she was without sin? I thought only Jesus was perfect.
• 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.
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