untainted

Maia Morgenstern

Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. That Mary was conceived as full of grace by her mother Anne. I had the fortunate opportunity to participate in a Redemptorist service today where 10 priests presided. The designated choreographer as well as the main presider complimented me on my name. The parish priest's mother, who had just passed, was named Anna. Anna means full of grace. I wish I were full of grace. 

I'm sure at least another person has hoped to have grace--whether grace in terms of sophistication or in the spiritual sense. Is purity of mind, body, and soul even attainable? Of course, we want to separate that kind of purity to the ignorance-is-bliss sort. Pure but not naive, I always say. It's a delicate balance.   

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