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Full of Grace
Angelus Address of Pope John Paul II
On Monday, Dec. 8, 2003, the 150th anniversary of the solemn proclamation
of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception.
"Tota pulchra es Maria - You are all fair, O Mary."
... If Christ is the day that never fades, Mary is its dawn, shining
with beauty.
Chosen in advance to be the Mother of the incarnate Word,
Mary is at the same time the first-fruits of his redeeming action.
The grace of Christ the Redeemer acted in her in anticipation, preserving
her from original sin and from any contagion of guilt.
This is why Mary is "full of grace" (Lk 1: 28),
as the Angel affirms when he brings her the announcement of her
divine motherhood. The human mind cannot claim to understand so
great a miracle and mystery. It is faith which reveals to us that
the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin is a pledge of salvation
for every human creature, a pilgrim on this earth. Again, it is
faith which reminds us that by virtue of her unique position, Mary
is our steadfast support in the arduous struggle against sin and
its consequences.
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