Commenting on Origen imputing personal sin to Mary in his interpretation of the “sword” of Simeon’s prophecy in Homilies on Luke 17:6-7, Catholic apologist Edward P. Martin noted that:
Origen’s motive seems to have
been pastoral. He wanted to show that even the holiest believers face trials of
faith, and that God permits these trials for purification. Mary’s faith, tested
by the sword of doubt, emerged stronger and purer. She is a model for
Christians who face dark nights of the soul.
. . .
Yet Origen’s view reminds us that
patristic Mariology developed gradually and through debate. It was not
monolithic. Even on fundamental questions—Did Mary doubt? Was her faith
perfect?—the early Fathers could disagree. (Edward P. Martin, Mary Under Siege:
How a Recent Vatican Document is Dividing Catholics Over the Mother of God [2025],
39)
Further Reading:
Did
Origen believe in the Immaculate Conception?
