Is Mary's grace of Immaculate Conception the same as that of "Holy" Mary?
The short answer is no.
First of all, let us look at the wording of Pope Pius XII's definition of the Immaculate Conception of Mary:
We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful.
Declaramus, pronuntiamus et definimus doctrinam, quae tenet, beatissimam Virginem Mariam in primo instanti suae Conceptionis fuisse singulari omnipotentis Dei gratia et privilegio, intuitu meritorum Christi lesu Salvatoris humani generis, ab omni originalis culpae labe praeservatam immunem, esse a Deo revelatam, atque idcirco ab omnibus fidelibus firmiter constanterque credendam. Quapropter si qui secus ac a Nobis. - Immaculate Conception (Wikipedia)
As we can see, Mary was preserved from all stain of Original Sin at the very moment of her conception. Original Sin deprives the soul of sanctifying grace. Thus Mary's soul was preserved from all stain of original sin in her soul and she was born with sanctifying grace dwelling within her being.
Thus Mary was preserved by a singular grace from God and preserved from all stain of Original Sin. In on other words, the state of her soul was equivalent to that of our first parents, Adam and Eve, prior to their fall into sin: the original sin.
As we see, the creation of Adam and Eve was one in which sanctifying grace remained in their souls. That is to say, until they disobeyed God and fell into sin which destroyed the sanctifying grace in their souls!
Now Mary was preserved from all stain of Original Sin, just like our first parents. This is where the Virgin Mary and our first parents differed. Mary preserved this singular grace given to her and never sinned.
Let us recall that Jesus himself was tempted to sin while in the desert, yet conquered the temptations of the Devil.
For we have not a high priest, who can not have compassion on our infirmities: but one tempted in all things like as we are, without sin. - Hebrews 4:15
Now, if Jesus could be tempted to sin and preserved grace in his human soul, so could his Mother Mary! What temptations Mary had to undergo in this world are not recorded in the annals of history.
The difference between Jesus and Mary
And this is the great difference between Jesus and Mary: She required a special grace to preserve her from the stain of sin, but our Savior (by virtue of the Incarnation itself, and on account of his divinity) could not possibly have contracted the guilt or debt of original sin in any respect.
While our Blessed Lady, even though Immaculately Conceived, required a Redeemer (namely, her own Son, Christ Jesus), the Lord did not have any need of a Redeemer. No special grace was required (beyond that of the Incarnation itself) to keep the Christ Child from original sin – he could not possibly have contracted it.
In this sense the dogma of the Immaculate Conception is seen to be fitting and true while (in itself) not absolutely necessary, but the sinslessness of the Lord Jesus is absolutely necessary and super-eminently fitting. Thus, there can be no comparison between the Savior and our Mother Mary, for she was only a creature and was in great need of a Redeemer, but the Lord Jesus was in no way subject original sin and had no need of redemption himself (since his humanity was created by the Holy Spirit and not by the propagation or generation [thus, he did not inherit original sin]). - Was Jesus immaculately conceived?
Mary, like us was saved by the merits Christ on the Cross, albeit in a very unique manner.
Fr. Kenneth Baker, S.J. states that Mary had to ”maintain a perfect harmony in her mind, will and emotions and to recognize always what was the right thing to do and then to do it.” Thus Mary’s holiness was achieved because she cooperated with the graces accorded her during her lifetime. Mary is called Most Holy not simply because of the graces given to her, but by virtue that she cooperated and worked with those same graces she received from Almighty God. This is what made Most Holy Theotokos.
Two special factors rendered Mary impeccable or unable to sin. The first was her constant awareness of God, living always in His presence, and the second was her reception of special and extraordinary graces. These special graces made it possible for Mary to maintain a perfect harmony in her mind, will and emotions and to recognize always what was the right thing to do and then to do it. - Sinlessness of Mary
Mary maintained “a perfect harmony in her mind, will and emotions and to recognize always what was the right thing to do and then to do it, through cooperating and working with those actual graces!
The following may be of interest to some:
