On November 6, 1849
Venerable John Henry Newman, C.O., gave some catechetical instructions, of which the following notes survive:

De Nativitate Christi ex Virgine—X
1. INTROD.—'Conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary.'

2. Predestination of the Blessed Virgin, even before the foresight of the Fall.

3. Gen. iii. [15]—inimicitsas [enmities]; ipsa [she].

4. Parallel of Eve and Mary—this idea of a woman kept up through Scripture in types, though the relationship to the Shiloh [Gen. xlix. 10] is not always preserved—(1) Sara, Ishmael scoffing [at]; (2) Mary, Moses' sister; (3) the canticle of canticles.

5. Isaias vii. [14].

6. When our Lord came, perhaps no need of further notice; yet (for our Lady did not come forward at once into public view—e.g. in Catacombs) in prophecy, Apoc. xii., [she is prominent] to the end of time.

7. Particulars. Christ might have been born in the ordinary way, but other way more fitting—Immaculate Conception. [Her question to the angel], 'How shall this be?' [Her] vow of virginity—first who did so [i.e. made this vow]—why married; a true marriage.

8. Conceived of the Holy Ghost—all works belong to the Three Persons [of the Blessed Trinity]—but as wisdom is attributed to the Son, etc.

9. Christ had all grace from first—did not grow in grace.

10. [Our Lady suffered] no pain in child-bearing; Eve é contra; hence in representations of our Lady [before the manger] she is made kneeling, etc.

11. Ever virgin.

12. Mother of God—this to secure the doctrine of the Incarnation. Vide published Sermon .