The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Their story

The Immaculate Conception is the Church’s belief that Mary, from the very first moment of her existence in her mother’s womb, was preserved by God from all stain of original sin. This was a unique gift of grace, given in view of the saving work of her Son, Jesus Christ. Mary was redeemed by Christ like all of us, but in an extraordinary way: she was protected from sin from the beginning, so that she could become a pure dwelling place for the Son of God. The feast is sometimes confused with the virginal conception of Jesus, but it is about Mary’s own conception. Christians reflected on this mystery for centuries, seeing it in the angel Gabriel’s greeting to Mary as “full of grace.” On December 8, 1854, Blessed Pope Pius IX solemnly defined it as a dogma of the faith. Four years later, at Lourdes in France, Mary appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous and identified herself with the words, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” In 1846 the bishops of the United States chose Mary under this title as patroness of the nation, and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., is dedicated in her honor. Mary Immaculate falls during Advent, as the Church prepares to welcome the One she would bear.