CNA Newsroom, Dec 8, 2024 / 06:56 am (CNA).
Pope Francis celebrated Mass with the College of Cardinals in St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday, marking the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and concluding a historic week in which 21 new cardinals were inducted into the Catholic Church’s most senior advisory body.
Hundreds of priests and bishops attended the celebration, and the new cardinals concelebrated their first papal Mass after receiving their red hats at Saturday’s consistory.
The Mass honored one of the Church’s most significant Marian feasts, commemorating the dogma formally defined by Pope Pius IX in 1854 that the Blessed Virgin Mary was preserved free from original sin from the moment of her conception.
In his homily during the solemn liturgy, Pope Francis reflected on Mary’s “pure harmony, candor, and simplicity,” focusing on her roles as daughter, bride, and mother.
“‘Hail, full of grace,’” the pope began, quoting Luke 1:28. “With these words in the humble house of Nazareth, the Angel revealed to Mary the mystery of her immaculate heart, preserved free from all stain of original sin from the moment of her conception.”
Drawing parallels between the Virgin Mary and the Church, Pope Francis emphasized that Mary was a “handmaid” not in a servile sense but as one who was “trusted and esteemed” by God.
“There is no salvation without a woman, for the Church herself is also woman,” the pope said, highlighting Mary’s pivotal role in salvation history.
Francis also sharply critiqued contemporary materialism and individualism, warning against “hearts that remain cold, empty, and closed.” He challenged believers, asking: “What is the use of having a full bank account, a comfortable home, and virtual connections if they come at the cost of true love, solidarity, and care for others?”
Addressing the newly created cardinals—representing the universality of the Church across five continents—the pope urged them to be servants to the global Catholic community. “They bring great wisdom from many parts of the world to contribute to the growth and spread of the Kingdom of God,” he said.
Concluding his homily, Pope Francis called for spiritual renewal. “Let us look to Mary Immaculate and ask her to conquer us through her loving heart. May she convert us and lead us to become a community where filial, spousal, and maternal love reign as the rule of life.”
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Why does the pope apparently allow Mary’s Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception to liturgically supersede the second Sunday of Advent? {His celebration of the Solemnity appears to have taken place in the early morning hours of Sunday, Dec. 8.] If Francis and all his newly minted red hats celebrate the Solemnity early in the morning of the second Sunday of Advent, when would they celebrate the second Sunday of Advent??? Do they commit mortal sin if they miss that Mass? Is their installation of red hatedness thus void??? Since when has an Advent Sunday been so disregarded or derogated? At minimum, so far as I can see, the pope disregards the guidelines of his Vatican’s Dicastery for Legislative Texts. Humility of Mary notwithstanding, the pride, thoughtlessness, stubbornness and self-glorification of some men shine very bright in this penitential season.
Mary said Yes. ““What is the use of having a full bank account, a comfortable home, and virtual connections if they come at the cost of true love, solidarity, and care for others?” – His Holiness Pope Francis.