[Mrs. Don-o]

Good words, Marine. I agree with much, or practically all, of what you said, except, of course, for the part about Mary. Speaking of "good words": Mary was greeted by God's heavenly ambassador with the completely unprecedented, uniquely honorable and rather astounding personal title "Kecharitomene" ("she who has been filled with grace.") That's "race" --- grace by the merits of Christ our Lord and God, her Savior --- not "dreadful, soul-damning sin."

[Always A Marine]

Mary was saved from her own sins just as we are, through “grace by the merits of Christ our Lord and God, her Savior” as you phrased it so clearly. Without the substitution of Christ’s perfect sacrifice, even one sin falls short of the perfect standard and merits the just penalty of eternal separation from God. Jesus paid that penalty for Mary, too.