Our Request to be Cleansed

(An excerpt of the homily of the Most Reverend Romulo G. Valles D.D. during the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, University of the Immaculate Conception Fiesta, Dec. 09, 2024 at the San Pedro Cathedral.)

What is the grace that we want to receive today…as we celebrate this mass, in honor of the Blessed Mother. Of course, by coming together, celebrating the mass, we show our affection for her, our deep respect for her, our veneration for her, but let me read the opening prayer that we have, “Oh God, who by the immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin, prepared a worthy dwelling for your son, grant we pray, that as you preserve her from the stain of sin, by the virtue of the death your son, so through her intercession we too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence.”

What a request!

God in his power, had Mary conceive without sin so we ask, cleanse us too and allow us to be admitted, to gaze at the Lord, our savior, our joy, our peace, our happiness. That is our request today. That is our request, to be cleansed, to be allowed to be close to the Lord, to be admitted to the presence of the Lord.