Cristy Li

(Franciscan Media) A feast called the ‘Conception of Mary’ arose in the Eastern Church during the 7th Century and came to the West in the 8th Century.

In the 11th century it received its present name–the ‘Immaculate Conception’ and during the 18th century it became a feast of the universal Church and is now recognized as a solemnity.

In 1854, Pius IX solemnly proclaimed: “The Most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin.”

It took a long time for this doctrine to develop. While many Fathers and Doctors of the Church considered Mary the greatest and holiest of the Saints, they often had difficulty in seeing Mary as sinless–either at her conception or throughout her life. This is one of the Church teachings that arose more from the piety of the faithful than from the insights of the brilliant theologians. Even such champions of Mary as Bernard of Clairvaux and Thomas Aquinas, could not see theological justification for this teaching.

Two Franciscans, William of Ware and Blessed John Duns Scotus, helped develop the theology–pointing out that Mary’s Immaculate Conception enhances Jesus’ redemptive work. Other members of the human race are cleaned from original sin after birth.

In Mary, Jesus’ work was so powerful as to prevent original sin at the outset.

More here from EWTN

Related: For Today’s Bible Readings and More Visit -USCCB

Immaculate Conception Pendant here -Catholic Shopping.com

St. Gerald Bishop of Mayo
Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization

(CNA) Born in England Northumbria, the exact date of his birth is unknown, we do know that Gerald was an English Monk, becoming Bishop of Mayo and that following the Synod of Whitby in 664 he followed St. Coleman (605-676) to Ireland and settled in Innisboffin in 668

After a period of time dissensions arose between the Irish and the English Monks and St. Coleman decided to found a separate Monastery for the 30 English Brethren, this arose the Abbey of Mayo with St. Gerald being its first Abbot in 670

St. Bede (Feast Day: 25 May) wrote: “The Monastery is to this day 731 occupied by English Monks…continues an exemplary body who gathered there form England and live by the labor of their own hands (after the manner of the early Fathers) under a rule and Canonical Abbot, leading chaste and single lives.”

Although St. Gerald was a comparatively young man, he proved to be a wise ruler and governed Mayo until 697 when it is said that he resigned in favor of St. Adamnan some scholars hold that St. Adamnan celebrated the Roman Easter at Mayo in 703 and then went to Skreen in Hy Fiachrach. — following his departure it is said the Monks prevailed on St. Gerald to resume his duties as Abbot — Mayo though merged in Tuam for a time.

St. Gerald reportedly continued to govern the Abbey and Diocese of Mayo until his death in 731

• Today’s alternative Feast Day is of St. Sabas, Patron Saint of Generosity
  

St. John of Damascus (676-749)
Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization

Born in Syria Damascus according to SQPN John spent much of his life in the Monastery of St. Sabas near Jerusalem and all of his life under Muslim rule. Tutored in his youth by a captured Italian Monk Cosmas, together with being educated in Muslim schools, John became quite well schooled in the areas of Geometry, Literature, Logic, Writing and Speech.

St. John became famous in three areas: (1) Writings; (2) Treatise “Exposition of the Orthodox Faith” and (3) A Poet — Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1890 by Pope Leo XII

More here from Franciscan Media and here from Catholic Online

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings for the Memorial of St. John of Damascus, Visit: -USCCB