immaculata conceptio
Immaculate Conception
The dogma that Mary, from the first instant of her own conception in her mother's womb, was preserved free from original sin by the grace of Christ — about Mary's conception, not Jesus's.
stainless conception
The Immaculate Conception is constantly confused with the virginal conception of Jesus. It is about Mary: at the first moment of her conception, she was preserved from all stain of original sin, by a singular grace of God and in view of the merits of her Son. She was redeemed, like everyone, but by prevention rather than rescue. Pius IX defined the dogma in 1854, and the feast is 8 December, nine months before Mary's birthday on 8 September. The Catechism links it to Gabriel's greeting “full of grace.”
Not to be confused with Virginal Conception (“Virgin Birth”).
Sources
Church teaching
- Ineffabilis Deus · Pius IXPius IX, apostolic constitution Ineffabilis Deus (8 December 1854), the definition of the dogma.
Sources checked 29 September 2026