If Mary was free of sin, why did she go through the purification rite?
The short answer
Out of obedience to the Mosaic law — for the same reason Jesus was circumcised. Both rites symbolized being freed from sin, but Jesus and Mary underwent them not because they needed it but because they were Jews who kept the Law. Aquinas adds that it was fitting for the Mother to share her Son's humility.
Obedience to the Law
Mary underwent purification after childbirth for the same reason Jesus underwent circumcision: obedience to the Mosaic law. Both rites symbolized freedom from sin, but Jesus and Mary did not need that; they kept the Law as faithful Jews.
A pattern for us
Likewise Jesus was baptized not because he needed it but to set the pattern for us.
Aquinas
St. Thomas Aquinas explains that as the fullness of grace flowed from Christ to his Mother, it was fitting for her to resemble her Son in humility, for God gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; Summa Theologiae III, 37, 4).
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