Where Christ Was First Formed

By Scott Ferrier, MJ • Phoenix, AZ

During this Advent season, as we approach the Solemnity of the Nativity of Jesus, Our Savior and Redeemer, may we offer this brief reflection from Blessed Dom Columba Marmion, OSB, beatified by Saint Pope John Paul II in 2000 A.D. (Adapted from Christ, the Life of the Soul, translated by Alan Bancroft; Zaccheus Press, 2005.):

“‘Hail, full of grace!’ The fullness of grace the Blessed Virgin received from her birth had as its purpose to make her the creature closest to the Author of grace: so close, indeed, that the Virgin contained within her womb Him who is full of grace, and in giving Him to the world by childbirth, she gave to the world the Source of grace.

“If, therefore, you wish to draw in large measure from the wellspring of Divine life, go to Mary; ask her to lead you to that wellspring. She indeed is the one who more than any other creature will bring you near to Jesus. That is why the Church applies to her this passage from Scripture: ‘He that shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord’ (Prov. 8:35).

“Who indeed knows the heart of her Son better than she? What shall we ask of the Mother of Jesus, if not—before everything and above everything—that she will form Jesus in us, by communicating to us her faith and her love? Now where was Christ first formed? In the womb of the Virgin, through the operation of the Holy Spirit. But, say the Fathers of the Church, Mary first carried Christ within her by faith and love, when by saying ‘Let it be done to me’ she gave her awaited consent. Let us ask her to obtain for us that faith which brings Christ into being within us—Christ ‘dwelling in your hearts through faith’ (Eph. 3:17); to obtain for us that love which makes us live with the life of Jesus.”