2007-12-14 04:13:07 · 23 answers · asked by sddq_nn 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Immaculate Conception is, according to Roman Catholic dogma, the conception of Mary, the mother of Jesus without any stain of original sin, in her mother's womb: the dogma thus says that, from the first moment of her existence, she was preserved by God from the lack of sanctifying grace that afflicts mankind, and that she was instead filled with divine grace. It is further believed that she lived a life completely free from sin. Her immaculate conception in the womb of her mother, by normal sexual intercourse (Christian tradition identifies her parents as Sts. Joachim and Anne), should not be confused with the doctrine of the virginal conception of her son Jesus.
There is a widespread misunderstanding of the term immaculate conception: many believe it refers to Mary's conception of Jesus, a confusion frequently met in the mass media. In the sense in which the phrase "Immaculate Conception" is used in Roman Catholic doctrine, it is not directly connected to the concept of Mary's "virginal conception" and the Incarnation of Christ. The Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception on 8 December, exactly nine months before celebrating Mary's birthday. The feast of the Incarnation of Christ, also known as The Annunciation, is celebrated on 25 March, nine months before Christmas Day.
Another misunderstanding is that by her immaculate conception, Mary did not need a saviour. On the contrary, when defining the dogma in Ineffabilis Deus, Pope Pius IX affirmed that Mary was redeemed in a manner more sublime. He stated that Mary, rather than being cleansed after sin, was completely prevented from contracting Original Sin in view of the foreseen merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race. In Luke 1:47, Mary proclaims: "My spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour." This is referred to as Mary's pre-redemption by Christ.
All this from a Pagan Priestess. ;)
Blessings to you.
2007-12-14 04:54:19 · answer #1 · answered by phoenix4404 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What Does Immaculate Conception Mean
2016-09-28 13:13:27 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to think that it mean that Jesus was immaculately conceived, but it doesn't! This is a doctrine of the Catholic Church that claims that Mary was immaculately conceived. Take a look at this quote:
The New Catholic Encyclopedia (1967, Vol. VII, pp. 378-381) acknowledges regarding the origin of the belief: “ . . . the Immaculate Conception is not taught explicitly in Scripture . . . The earliest Church Fathers regarded Mary as holy but not as absolutely sinless. . . . It is impossible to give a precise date when the belief was held as a matter of faith, but by the 8th or 9th century it seems to have been generally admitted. . . . [In 1854 Pope Pius IX defined the dogma] ‘which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary was preserved from all stain of original sin in the first instant of her Conception.’” This belief was confirmed by Vatican II (1962-1965).—The Documents of Vatican II (New York, 1966), edited by W. M. Abbott, S.J., p. 88.
Interesting huh? Totally goes contrary to the Bible! Rom 5:12 says all of mankind inherited sin from our original parents.
2007-12-14 04:31:58 · answer #3 · answered by oh you think so huh? 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The subject of this immunity from original sin is the person of Mary at the moment of the creation of her soul and its infusion into her body. The term conception does not mean the active or generative conception by her parents. Her body was formed in the womb of the mother, and the father had the usual share in its formation. The question does not concern the immaculateness of the generative activity of her parents. Neither does it concern the passive conception absolutely and simply (conceptio seminis carnis, inchoata), which, according to the order of nature, precedes the infusion of the rational soul. The person is truly conceived when the soul is created and infused into the body. Mary was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin at the first moment of her animation, and sanctifying grace was given to her before sin could have taken effect in her soul.
2007-12-14 04:28:23 · answer #4 · answered by cavealaska 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Immaculate conception refers to Mary having been born without the stain of original sin. This made her the only person who could then conceive Jesus. The conception and birth of Jesus was the virgin birth, which it seems many people are confusing this with.
2007-12-14 04:20:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Immaculate means very clean. Mary was born without original sin (hence hers was the immaculate conception) so her soul was very clean (immaculate). It has nothing to do with virgin birth or the paternal lineage of Jesus.
2007-12-14 04:18:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sheesh! Some of you Christians don't even know your own superstitions.
Immaculate Conception refers to Mary being conceived without 'original sin', not the virgin birth of Jesus.
Seriously, this is embarrassing. I'm an atheist and I know more about Christianity than most of the Christians here.
2007-12-14 04:21:42 · answer #7 · answered by mam2121 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋
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It refers to Mary being conceived and born without original sin
2016-04-03 02:54:16 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The "Catholic" concept (as opposed to the scriptural one) is that the Savior must have come in a perfect body (not like yours, so you can go on sinning- just so as you confess to a priest) Therefore, Mary must have been perfect, so HER conception was special, and done in Heaven. Go figure!
2007-12-14 04:18:24 · answer #9 · answered by hasse_john 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
It means Jesus's mother was born without original sin
2007-12-14 04:17:48 · answer #10 · answered by murnip 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋