150 years after the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was promulgated in 1854, it's no harm to remember that that for centuries it divided the greatest of thinkers. Thomas Aquinas and Bernard of Clairvaux (who had profound devotion to Our Lady) had serious problems with the idea that she was conceived without original sin (although they believed she was personally sinless). They believed this would downplay Christ's role. Meanwhile Bonaventure and Duns Scotus championed the cause. Since 1854, the rest is history as they say.

For a mostly Catholic observance, the controversial past of this feast is mostly forgotten. Which is a shame. In an era of choice, we seem to go along unthinking. We talk a lot about choice but very little about choosing well. In the big things of life, choosing careers, friends or spouses – the choice is a lonely one.

In Aesop's fable "The Lioness" the animals in the forest discuss who can produce the largest litter. They thought that greatness lay in quantity not quality. The lioness was eventually asked how many cubs she bore at a time. "One, but that one is a lion." Today we put centre stage a mother who bore only one child – but He was the Christ.

In this sesquicentenary year let us too pray: "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you."

(Comments to Tom at tomascox@eircom.net )