Immaculate Conception
Mary's untainted origin
The Immaculate Conception is the Catholic doctrine that Mary, mother of Jesus, was conceived without original sin—preserved from the stain believed to mark all other humans from the moment of conception.
The term is frequently confused with the virgin birth of Jesus, but it refers to Mary's own conception, not her son's.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception falls on December 8.
Mother of Christ
- AnnunciationGabriel's announcement to Mary
- Mother of GodMary's theological title
- AssumptionMary's bodily heavenward reception
- MadonnaChrist's mother, or pop icon
Visitation · Magnificat · Saint Anne · Joachim · Gabriel · Lourdes · Fatima · Ave Maria
Free from moral wrongdoing
- unblemishedFree from any defect
- unstainedBearing no marks
- sanctifiedMade sacred through blessing
- holyDedicated to the divine
preserved · without sin · spotless · undefiled · pure · virginal · sanctity · perfection
Inherited spiritual corruption
- dogmaUnchallengeable official beliefs
- ex cathedraWith binding doctrinal authority
- papalof the pontiff
- sacred traditionVenerated inherited practice
theology · grace · 1854 · encyclical · canon law · apostolic · infallibility · promulgation
Saint's commemorative holiday
- venerationProfound admiring respect
- prayerAddress to deity
- novenaNine-day prayer practice
- patron saintHoly figure guarding devotees
pilgrimage · liturgy · Mass · celebration · procession · shrine · Catholic Church · blessing
Virgin Mary
Mother of Christ
- AnnunciationGabriel's announcement to Mary
- Mother of GodMary's theological title
- AssumptionMary's bodily heavenward reception
Madonna · Visitation · Magnificat · Saint Anne · Joachim · Gabriel · Lourdes · Fatima · Ave Maria · Marian
sinless
Free from moral wrongdoing
- unblemishedFree from any defect
- unstainedBearing no marks
- sanctifiedMade sacred through blessing
holy · preserved · without sin · spotless · undefiled · pure · virginal · sanctity · perfection · untainted
original sin
Inherited spiritual corruption
- dogmaUnchallengeable official beliefs
- ex cathedraWith binding doctrinal authority
- papalof the pontiff
sacred tradition · theology · grace · 1854 · encyclical · canon law · apostolic · infallibility · promulgation · Catholic dogma
feast day
Saint's commemorative holiday
- venerationProfound admiring respect
- prayerAddress to deity
- novenaNine-day prayer practice
patron saint · pilgrimage · liturgy · Mass · celebration · procession · shrine · Catholic Church · blessing · worship
- CatholicismVatican, cardinals, pope, Holy Communion, popes
- Christian loreAdam, Eve, Adam and Eve, Noah, Satan
- church calendarAdvent, Easter Sunday, Lent, Christmas, Pentecost
- church feastsfeast day, holy day, solemnity, All Saints Day, All Souls Day
- church observancesChristmas, Lent, Good Friday, Advent, Pentecost
- feast daysSt. Patrick's Day, St. Valentine's Day, St. George's Day, St. Andrew's Day, St. Stephen's Day
Immaculate Conceptionnatural birth
Childbirth without pain medication
Immaculate Conceptiondepravity
Profound moral corruption
corruption · sinfulness · taint · defilement
immaculate, conception, misconception, preconception, immaculateness, immaculacy