Susan,
To add to Mike's answer, it is most fitting that Mary be without both original and actual sin.
- Would it make any sense that the perfect, pure, God (who is Love) take His Human Nature from sinful flesh?
Jesus, who is God and man, cannot inherit sin. It would be a contradiction of His nature as, God the Son, Incarnate.
God exempted Mary from the stain of original sin by a singular act in order to prepare her to be His earthly Mother. He created Eve without sin and created Mary without the stain of sin that Eve had propagated.
In this respect, Mary is the new Eve who assists in our salvation as mother in the order of grace. Her Yes to God (Fiat) nullified Eve's No, and enabled our Savior to come into the world through her to save us.
Peace,
Paul
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