Dear Rachel:

The grace given to Mary was singular. She was given this particular and special and singular grace because she was to become the Ark of the New Covenant. If that were not the case, then Mary would not have received this grace. We do not receive this grace because we are not the Ark of the New Covenant.

As we learn in the Old Testament, the Lamb of Sacrifice had to be unblemished and untouched (pre-sexual). Jesus was THEE Lamb of God and thus had to be unblemished and pure (non-sexual) in order to be the Lamb of Sacrifice for our sins.

We also learn in the Old Testament that wherever the presence of God resides, that place must be made holy and sacred. We also learn that once something has been made holy and sacred it can never again be used for normal purposes.

One of the stories in the Old Testament is about the Ark of the Covenant being moved to the new Temple. On the way the Ark began to fall. A well-meaning soldier placed his hand on the Ark to prevent it from falling in the mud. He was well intentioned and devout, but nevertheless he was struck down dead on the spot. Why? because he touched the Ark with unconsecrated hands and nothing unclean, unholy can touch the Ark.

For Jesus to reside in Mary's womb (the ark of the New Covenant), that womb MUST be unblemished by sin (even original sin) and be untouched (virginal). Her womb was made holy and sacred in preparation of the coming of the Lord Jesus to reside in this living Ark of the Covenant.

Thus, in order to make Mary's womb holy and sacred, without blemish, God granted her the Immaculate Conception in which at the moment of her conception she was preserved from the stain of original sin thus making her qualified to have God reside in her womb.

By this grace Mary was not only preserved from the stain of original sin, but was not enslaved to sin -- she was sinless. The graces of the Cross was applied to her in advance. Again, in order for Mary's womb to carry the man-God she must not only be free from original sin, but from actual sin too.

Then to finish this story, Mary HAD to be virginal to fulfill the requirements of the Ark being untouched and pure.

Mary HAD to be perpetually virgin because once God has consecrated something as holy and sacred, it must be respected always and never again used for normal purposes.

Mary HAD to be Assumed into Heaven because again, something holy and sacred cannot be allowed to decay.

Thus the Marian doctrines of the Immaculate Conception and sinless life, Virginal Birth of Jesus, Perpetual Virginity, and her Assumption in the Heaven HAD TO HAPPEN that way; it could not have happened any other way, for if it had, God would have been a liar about his economy of the sacred and holy. If these things were not so, then that soldier who died trying to keep the Ark of the Covenant from falling in the mud died in vain and for nothing.

These graces were given to Mary alone because Mary was the one called to serve God in this most unique and special way that no other human being has or ever will be called to do. This was truly singular. This is why Mary is honored above all other woman for all generations.

That is why she, and not us, was given that grace.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary