The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception recognizes Mary as the mother of the world and all redemption

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

On the feast of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Bishop John Iffert celebrated Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, Dec. 8. Concelebrating was Bishop Emeritus Roger Foys; Father Ryan Maher, rector of the Cathedral; Msgr. Kurt Kemo, vice vector; with Deacon Jerry Franzen assisting.

Bishop Iffert spoke to the Diocesan faithful gathered in attendance the evening of the Solemnity, speaking of Mary’s redemptive love and her role as the arc of the covenant, the tabernacle of Christ. It was Mary’s immaculate conception to Sts. Anne and Joachim that put into motion God’s plan for the redemption of sinners, said Bishop Iffert.

Recalling the first reading for the Solemnity, Bishop Iffert spoke of the fall of Adam and Eve, giving into the temptation of the serpent and casting mankind from the light of God’s grace.

“Because they wanted to be like God, so we became alienated from the Kingdom of God. We no longer walked and talked with God in the Garden. We no longer spoke with him face to face…but we began to sin against one another and against God’s creation,” he said.

It was at that moment, the eating of the apple, the casting out from the garden, said Bishop Iffert, that “God set into motion his plan that would come to fulfillment with the birth of the Divine Word into the world.”

“God the Father sends the Son Incarnate into the world, so that in him, we might be redeemed, that he might offer the redemptive sacrifice for us once and for all,” said Bishop Iffert.

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception celebrates, “the mystery by which, from the very conception of Mary, God protected her from all stain of sin,” said Bishop Iffert. “He cleansed her from the very beginning, from original sin and from the effects of all sin, and gave her the grace to choose, to maneuver through this life, maintaining the purity of body, mind and spirit.”
“It is through her, the one whom Jesus gives us to be our mother,” said Bishop Iffert, “the Redeemer acts for our salvation.”