Catholic teaching states that Mary was conceived without original sin and that she also remained sinless her entire life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that “Mary benefited first of all and uniquely from Christ’s victory over sin: she was preserved from all stain of original sin and by a special grace of God committed no sin of any kind during her whole earthly life.” (CCC 411) The Church believes that because she was the mother of a sinless son, Mary was given the special privilege of being forever free from sin herself: “To become the mother of the Savior, Mary was ‘enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role.’” (CCC 490)