The Immaculate: Refuge of Sinners

One of the great effects of the Immaculate Conception is that she is the Refuge of Sinners. Our Lady, though not a sinner, was saved from sin. When she looked upon the Lord, her baby boy, crucified on the Cross she saw the price of her own Immaculate Conception. She knew, with utmost humility and wisdom, that she did not deserve to be "full of grace". Hence, after the Annunciation, the Spirit put on her lips the prayer of the Magnificat, and continued to move her to submit humbly to the will of God. She is only a creature - though the most perfect creature possible - and she knows it. Therefore, she looks to the sinners of the world with compassion and tenderness, knowing full well the power of the grace of God to turn sinners into saints. After all, had not the Power of God raised this normal human being to the heights of created perfection?

This sublime humility and celestial wisdom comes to her in virtue of Her Immaculate Conception - which opened to her All Grace in Christ. Everytime we ask for graces to be poured into our souls, we are asking for the Immaculate Conception to be active in our lives. Christ continues to come to us through her, and through her we return to Christ. Therefore, faithful surrender to the Immaculate effects conversion.

The Immaculate is our refuge, because she intercedes for us. She is our refuge, because at times we experience her consoling maternity. She is our refuge, because she reminds us of the power of God and His love of humanity. The Immaculate is our refuge, because she brings us into contact with Christ - all Grace and Blessing, and by the power of the Holy Spirit we turn from sinners into saints. And therefore we do not turn to her to be sheltered from the Just Judge, but rather to be transformed by the Merciful Savior.

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O Mary Conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and those recommended unto you. Amen