Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A Roman Catholic dogma: The doctrine that God preserved the Virgin Mary, from the very moment of her own conception, free from the stain of original sin. This belief holds that she was conceived without original sin in preparation for becoming the mother of Jesus Christ.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary was formally defined by Pope Pius IX in 1854.
  • Many churches dedicated to Our Lady celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary on December 8th.
  • Theological debates about the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary have a long history within Christianity.

Advanced Usage

• "the Immaculate Conception": This is a common abbreviated form used to refer to the full dogma. It is crucial to understand that this term refers to Mary's conception, not the conception of Jesus (which is the Virgin Birth or Incarnation).
  • He wrote his thesis on the development of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Variants and Related Words

• Immaculate Conception (n): The shortened, most common form of the term.
• Immaculist (n, historical): A supporter of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.
• Feast of the Immaculate Conception (n): The liturgical feast day celebrating this dogma.

Synonyms

• The Immaculate Conception (the standard abbreviated synonym).

Notes on Meaning

• This term is a specific theological concept within Roman Catholic doctrine. It is not generally held by all Christian denominations.
• It is distinct from the Virgin Birth, which refers to the conception of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, not the conception of Mary herself. Confusing these two concepts is a common error.

Noun

1. (Christianity) the Roman Catholic dogma that God preserved the Virgin Mary from any stain of original sin from the moment she was conceived