Immaculate Conception

Hari ini adlh perayaan Santa Maria yang Dikandung Tanpa Dosa (Immaculate Conception). It all started on the 1830 ketika Bunda Maria menampakan diri kpd Santa Katarina Laboure (yang jenasahnya smp sekarang masi segar n utuh) dan meminta agar membuat medali yg bertuliskan " O Maria yang dikandung tanpa dosa, doakanlah kami yg berlindung kepadamu" dan dogma Yang Dikandung Tanpa Dosa dihormati. Siapa saja yang mengenakan medali tersebut akan mendapat rahmat dari Yesus melalui doa-doa Ibu-Nya. Then, tahun 1854, Paus Pius *lupa yg ke berapa* akhirnya mengkukuhkan dogma tersebut setelah "rapat dan voting" dgn para Kardinal di seluruh dunia. Tahun 1858, Bunda Maria menampakan diri kpd Bernadette ( yang jenasahnya juga masi segar dan utuh) di Lourdes dan mengatakan " Akulah yang dikandung tanpa dosa" dan that was the beginning of the Lourdes' greatest holy water and it really has holy power.

It's just unbelieve, at least for me, knowing that many of the non-Catholic people are against the existence of Saint Mary and many of them are also denying that Saint Mary is one of the holy people. How come a pastor (non Catholic) ever said that Mary was actually a slut?? Oh come on, She is Jesus's mom, He wouldn't find that kind of person to be His Mom. Or, let's just imagine how Jesus will be hurt, having His beloved mum being treated like that. Kay, use our common sense we all are being taught to be respectful with our mum, you should be ashamed if you're not being respectful to Jesus's mum.

Let's have a look on Luke 1:26-35

Now in the sixth month the angel Grabiel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth. To a virgin bertrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. HAving come in, the angel said to her," Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN!" but when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her ," Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His Father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever and of His kingdom there will be no end. Then Mary said to the angel," How can this be, since I do not know a man?. And the angel answered and said to her ," THE HOLY SPIRIT will come upon you and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

Hey, I'm not saying that Catholics worship Saint Mary. We never worship Mary on the altar, not on the mass. We have special prayers and devotion to Mary but not on the altar, not even once. Have you ever seen us, Catholics; put any of Mary's statue or anything on the altar? nah, never. Just be respectful to our Mum, kk?