Life Begins at Conception: A Marian Meditation

by Fr. John Granato  |  09/07/2025  |  Words from Fr. John

My Dear Friends,

Tomorrow, September 8th, is the ninth month since December 8th, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Many people believe that the Immaculate Conception is referencing Jesus, but Jesus was conceived on March 25th, nine months before December 25th, the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord. Both dates of conception, March 25th and December 8th, are a statement by the Catholic Church that life begins at conception. In the United States, the Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation, while the Annunciation on March 25th is not, but it is a Holy Day of Obligation in other countries.

So looking at the dates, we see that September 8th is the celebration of the birthday of the Blessed Mother. The only other saint whose birthday we celebrate liturgically is St. John the Baptist on June 24th. Birthdays are wonderful days, f or a birthday is the day that the baby in the womb is revealed physically to the world. But before the actual birth, the child is known by the mother who is nourishing her child for nine months and is bonding with her child in miraculous ways.

Science reveals to us that at the moment of conception the DNA of the child is imprinted and will determine not only for the next nine months in the womb but also outside the womb who the child will be and what the child will l ook like. This new life that is born, even if premature, is a cause of joy, but this life is also very f ragile. A child cannot live on its own from the moment of birth; each child is dependent upon someone to take care of him or her in order to continue growing. We pray especially for those women who have given birth only to have lost the baby shortly after, whether hours, days or weeks.

My mother gave birth to a son in 1964, who only lived for a few hours. I can only imagine the pain that she suffered, especially since she was not able to see the child. Science has proven that a child can experience pain in the womb as well as love. How important is must be for the child who only lives a few hours to still have physical contact with the mother and if possible the father after birth to experience that l oving touch and care. Every child is born into this world for a purpose.

Our Blessed Mother came into this world for the purpose of being the Mother of the Messiah. Blessed is her womb that carried and nourished her Son for nine months. Mary, Mother of God, pray for us. And pray for those victims of the recent shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis and for all victims of violence.

God bless!