America Loves Freedom. Mary Shows Us the Real Thing.
In an America tempted by fascism’s fake “order,” the Immaculate Conception exposes counterfeit freedom and calls us to real freedom: radical availability to God and others.
Letters from Leo offers daily Advent reflections each morning through Christmas exclusively for paid subscribers, exploring what it means to follow Jesus in American civic and political life. I hope you’ll journey with me as we welcome the light of Christ into every corner of our lives this season.
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To give you a sense of what you’ll experience, I’ve unlocked last Sunday’s reflection to all readers. (Note that the Sunday reflections will be longer.)
“Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’” (Luke 1:38)
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Under that title, Mary is honored as the patron of the United States of America.
The dogma that the Blessed Virgin Mary was free from the stain of original sin at the moment of her conception invites reflection on a central theme of Americanism: what it means to be free.
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