Dear Friend,

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

   December 8, 2022

Reflection by Dianne M. Traflet, J.D., S.T.D.

The image above is from the beautiful Chapel of Christ the Good Shepherd in Immaculate Conception Seminary.  Mary is holding Jesus, her hand near his Sacred Heart, as He seems to be ready to jump from her arms.  It’s as though Mary is saying “Not now, my Son; you must stay with me. Your time has not yet come.”

Our seminarians pray in this Chapel multiple times a day.  I imagine they, too, sometimes feel as though they are ready to leap into their vocations, but they are called to pause, pray, and discern. Perhaps in their own ways they hear Mary gently saying, “Not now, my sons. You must stay with me in my home. Your time has not yet come.”

Mary's Immaculate Conception teaches us the necessity of “preparation” and “waiting.”   Today, on this Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, we are reminded of Mary’s own preparation.  Fr. Jacques Bunel, a French priest who died in Mauthausen Concentration Camp, gave a talk on this powerful theme soon before he was captured by the Nazis for sheltering Jewish children.  His love of Mary shines through his words:

….it is awesome when we think of it—it is enough to make us weep with admiration and thanksgiving—that a poor little human creature, our sister human being, had the tremendous honor of forming a body and bringing God into the world. She received him, she guarded him, she enclosed him in the humble, narrow limits of her own body. What a privilege! The Creator of the world called her “Mama.” She held him in her arms and cradled him at her breast…. You may well imagine that such an exceptional creature should be full of grace in order to accomplish her sublime role, and rightly so. God always prepares the being to whom He would confide a great mission. Each one of us has been and will remain chosen by God. (Resplendent in Victory)

Fr. Jacques explained that we, too, have been prepared by God to fulfill our mission, and he challenged his listeners—and us today-- to give our “Yes” to Divine preparations.

Let us do as the Virgin Mary did. When the moment arrived, the angel came to reveal God’s plan, saying, “Do you wish to accept the role of mother of the savior of the world?” She replied, “Fiat” [let it be done] ……she surrendered herself to God’s will for her. And what do we do? What have we done with God’s preparations in us? When something disconcerting happens to us, do we say “fiat” so that the divine plan may not be squandered or lessened in its efficacy? We should be saints and allow the divine plan to be fulfilled to its utmost extent. Alas! Where do we stand?  (Resplendent in Victory)

“Alas! Where do we stand?”  Do we give our “yes” to God’s plan—even to necessary waiting and preparation? How might we be helped to give a wholehearted “yes”?  Fr. Jacques gives us an answer:   Silent prayer. “Silence is the great master. It speaks to the human heart. Silence is not an empty void; God dwells therein.”

Returning to the photo above, we see the tabernacle to the right of the statue of Jesus and Mary. Might we try this Advent to spend some extra time in silence before our Eucharistic Lord?  Might we ask Mary to teach us how to wait on the Lord, and to “ponder all these things” in our hearts?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, Thank you for the gift of your Mother Mary and for today’s great Solemnity in her honor. In the example of Mary, may we, too, give our wholehearted “yes” to your plan in our lives.  May our time of waiting and preparation this Advent be fruitful, cultivated in silence and nurtured by the Sacrament of Love.  Amen.

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Dianne M. Traflet, J.D., S.T.D., Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Administration and Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, earned a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, an M.A. in Catholic Theology and Pastoral Ministry from The Institute of Advanced Studies of Catholic Doctrine, St. John's University, and an S.T.L. and an S.T.D. from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (The Angelicum), Rome. Dr. Traflet is a key leader in the Center for Diaconal Formation, and she gives numerous lectures, retreats, and days of recollection, including some specific to wives of deacons and deacon candidates. She is the author of Edith Stein: A Spiritual Portrait (Pauline Media, 2008).