The New Eve

"The Lord God said to the serpent: I will put enmities between thee and the woman." (Gen. 3:14, 15)

In these words the immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary was announced to our first parents. It was to be the reversal of the friendship with the serpent contracted by Eve, when she listened to his voice and fell under his power.

-- Rev. R. F. Clarke, SJ, The Devout Year