| My Queen, my Mother, I give myself entirely to you, and to
show my devotion to you, I consecrate to you my eyes, my ears,
my mouth, my heart, my entire self without reserve. Lead me to
greater holiness. As I am your child, my good Mother, guard me
and defend me. Amen. |
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This shrine celebrates Mary under the title of the Immaculate
Conception, which celebrates the fact that Mary was conceived without
Original Sin so that she might be worthy to bear in her womb the Son of God.
The lily carved on the pedestal is a symbol of this great purity.
Under this title, Mary has served as the patroness of the United States since 1846 when the Sixth Provincial Council of Baltimore petitioned for this honor to Rome. Mary Immaculate also serves as the patroness of the Saint Mary's Seminary and University since its founding in 1791 by the Sulpician priests who came from
France.
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