[Originally published in the Immaculate Conception Church bulletin on December 10th 2023.]

Dom Prosper Guéranger (1805-1875) is a towering figure of the Catholic revival in 19th Century France. He was instrumental in the re-establishment of the Benedictine Order in France (suppressed by the French Revolution) and the renewal of love for the liturgy of the Roman Rite. His 15 volume The Liturgical Year is a masterpiece of scholarship and spiritual reflection. As a young man, before the definition of the dogma in 1854, the future Dom Prosper Gueranger received an extraordinary mystical grace regarding the Mystery of Mary’s Immaculate Conception, a grace which he described in this way:

On December 8th, 1823, while I was doing my meditation with the Community, and I approached my argument—the Mystery of the day—with my rational viewpoints as usual, suddenly I was led to believe in Mary, Immaculate in her conception. Speculation and effort were united effortlessly in this Mystery. I felt a sweet joy in my consent; without rapture, with a gentle peace and sincere conviction. Mary deigned to transform me with her blessed hands, without anxiety, without vehemence: one nature disappeared to leave room for another. I did not say anything to anyone, especially because I did not imagine the significance that this revelation would have for me. I was undoubtedly overwhelmed; but today I am still overwhelmed, when understanding the scope of the favor that the Holy Virgin deigned to grant me that day.