Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, has issued a message to the faithful reflecting on the significance of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception during Advent. The annual observance marks the Catholic belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, was conceived without original sin as a unique gift from God.

In his letter, Cardinal Tobin explains that Catholics hold Mary to be free from sin from her conception due to God's redeeming grace. He writes: "Catholics believe that, from the moment of her conception, God blessed Mary with His gift of redeeming grace. Although she was a descendant of Adam and Eve, and therefore part of our sinful human race, God’s mercy kept her from the sinful tendencies that affect every human being and from all personal sin."

He continues by emphasizing Mary's role in salvation history: "Mary was free from sin from her conception because she was chosen to give birth to God’s only Son, the new Adam, who represents a radical break from humanity’s guilt-ridden past. In Mary, we see the fulfillment of our redemption. She was not born without sin because of her own merits, but because God chose her to bear His Word made flesh."

Cardinal Tobin addresses misconceptions about Mary's life: "It’s tempting to say that Mary had an unfair advantage over the rest of us. She was born without sin, while you and I only have our weakened human nature. But Mary’s life shows that she struggled mightily to accept situations she couldn’t possibly understand." He notes that even though Mary was preserved from original sin by divine intervention for her role as Jesus's mother, she still needed God's grace throughout her life.

The letter includes references to Church teachings found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and highlights how Pope Pius IX proclaimed this dogma in 1854—nearly 1,900 years after Mary's birth.

Quoting Pope Leo XIV's homily for the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality, Cardinal Tobin shares: "Mary’s path follows that of Jesus, which leads us to encounter every human being, especially the poor, the wounded and sinners. Because of this, authentic Marian spirituality brings God’s tenderness, His way of being a mother, to light in the Church." This message underlines how devotion to Mary is meant to inspire compassion and solidarity with those in need.

Cardinal Tobin concludes his message with a prayer seeking Mary's intercession: "Immaculate Mary, pray for us sinners. Show us the way to your son, Jesus. Amen."

The full text also includes selected passages from official Catholic documents detailing doctrinal beliefs about Mary's role and status within Christian theology.