The Immaculate Conception in the Modern World

Esquilache Immaculate Conception, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1645-1655)

Today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the patron feast of the United States. At mass tonight, the
priest mentioned how the American bishops petitioned Pope Pius IX to approve Mary's patronage assignment in 1847. This request predated Pius IX's formal dogmatic decree of the Immaculate Conception in 1854. The same year, St. Catherine Laboure introduced the Miraculous Medal, featuring the prayer "Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." Later, in 1858, the apparitions to St. Bernadette Soubirous at Lourdes further affirmed the dogma, with Mary stating"I am the Immaculate Conception."

What exactly was it that made the people of the 19th century so fixated on Mary's conception without original sin? Was this the OMGJPIITOB of its time? America was even at the cutting edge of the trend. Perhaps Europe was too preoccupied prepping the many revolutions of 1848 to really get contemplative. The Church in France had a particularly precarious relationship with their country's government at this time, as evidenced by St. Bernadette's clashes with government officials about her visions. (If those CCC Marian apparition cartoons taught me anything, it's that visionary peasant children always have a municipal nemesis.)

I'm also curious what made American Catholic choose this particular patron. Was a sinless spokeswoman their answer to the colonial concept of America as a "City on a Hill"? Were they just riding the tide of trending spirituality? Or did Mary's sinlessness give them in hope in an uncertain time when their country was facing frontier dangers and experiencing increasing discord over slavery?

Looking at the state of our country today, we're in need of that same hope. Racism is still very real, and many people doubt that our criminal justice system treats all Americans fairly. But Mary's hymn of praise reminds us that the kingdom of God promises mercy for the marginalized and an end to unjust authority. It's our duty as Christians to work to make our own country more like that kindgom.

[God] has shown the strength of his arm; He has scattered the proud in their conceit.He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things while the rich he has sent away empty.