When is the birthday of the Immaculate Conception?

Answer 1

December 8 is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on 8 December each year in the Catholic Church. The Orthodox celebrate Mary's conception on this date, but due to a different (but probably compatible) theology on the nature of original sin, do not subscribe to the Western concept of the Immaculate Conception.

Since it is historically impossible for us to know when Mary was conceived, or born nine months later, the actual date of the Immaculate Conception is not known. The Immaculate Conception refers to the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the womb of her mother, Anne. It does NOT refer to the incarnation of Our Blessed Lord in the womb of the Blessed Virgin nine months before Christmas - that was not strictly conception but incarnation, the two are radically different things, even though the grace that enabled the Blessed Virgin Mary to be conceived by her parents, Anne and Joaquin, immaculately, is dependent on the fact that she would later bear the God/man in her womb-the Immaculate Conception does not refer to that.

Answer 2

The teaching of Mary being "immaculately conceived is a fairly recently approved doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church, stating that she was conceived in the womb of her mother, without any "stain" of original sin from Adam. December 8th was established by Pope Sixtus IV in 1476 as a universal feast, yet, the "Immaculate Conception was not declared a dogma by the church until Pope Pius IX solemnly declared it such on December 8, 1854.

While the Doctrine is sometimes confused with the Virgin Birth of Christ, which is explained in the Scriptures, the dogma of Mary being born without sin is not found in Scriptures. Yet, according to Scripture, a godly young Jewish maiden, named Mary, was chosen of God to bear the Lord Jesus Christ, bringing the Son of God into this world. This was accomplished by the Holy Spirit of God coming upon her, so Christ was brought into this world without Adam's sin.

There are sufficient indications in Scripture to refute the doctrine of Mary being conceived without sin: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Romans 5:12. "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:10.

A fairly conclusive picture come from Mary's own lips and her actions. As a godly Jewish lady, she cherished and sought after God's forgiveness. In Luke 1:46, 47, she said: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." One does not need a Savior, unless they are a sinner. In v. 50, she said: "And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation." Mercy is desired only by those who have done something wrong.

When Christ was born, his parents went to Jerusalem. "And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." Luke 2:22-24.

Note that Mary awaited the days, according to Jewish Law, for her initial purification. Then Jesus was presented to the Lord as the firstborn. Then the sacrifice of two turtledoves were given for Mary's cleansing. This was according to the Law in Leviticus 12:6,7: "She shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood."

As poorer parents, they were allowed to bring two turtledoves: "And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean." Yet, note how clear it is that there was a burnt offering, admitting a condition of a needy sinner, and a sin offering, offered for specific sins. The Old Testament Jewish priest offered these sacrifices for her atonement. Atonement is only needed by sinners.

The doctrine of "Immaculate Conception" has no Biblical base, and detracts from the presentation of Christ as the One born without sin, by the Holy Spirit. He was thus born, so that He could take our sins upon Himself upon the Cross. God sent His Son as sinless into the world, so that we could be forgiven and made right with Him: "For He (God) hath made Him (Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 2Corinthians 5:21.

Alternate Answer

The Immaculate Conception is rooted on sound Biblical exergesis and the oral tradtion handed down through the Church, tradtion St Paul commands we stand fast and hold onto (2 Thes 2:15).

It may have taken time for the doctrine to be made 'offical' but one must remember that Christ died c. 33 AD and yet the Canon of Scripture was defined at the Council of Rome in 382 AD, more than 300 years later. This does not invalidate the canon nor the immaculate conception.

While hardly any of the 12 apostles wrote, within the time of the Council of Rome and The Bible Canon we had Hippolytus noting that "His tabernacle was exempt from putridity and corruption." Origen calling Mary "immaculate of the immaculate." Ephrem noting "Thou alone and thy Mother are in all things fair, there is no flaw in thee and no stain in thy Mother."

"O noble Virgin, truly you are greater than any other greatness. For who is your equal in greatness, O dwelling place of God the Word? To whom among all creatures shall I compare you, O Virgin? You are greater than them all O Covenant, clothed with purity instead of gold! You are the Ark in which is found the golden vessel containing the true manna, that is, the flesh in which divinity resides." Athanasius, Homily of the Papyrus of Turin, 71:216 (ante AD 373).

"Mary, a Virgin not only undefiled but a Virgin whom grace has made inviolate, free of every stain of sin." Ambrose, Sermon 22:30 (A.D. 388).

At it's most basic level Mary is adressed as Kechartiomene (Luke 1:28). According to Strongs concordance, the root (Charitoo) means to grace. Being a perfect passive participle Mary received this grace (from God) sometime in the past. Tradition logically states that this time in the past was her conception, and that she remained in this state of grace. Never being without God's grace her whole life - Mary never sinned.

Now the Bible does say all have sinned. But is also says all in Judea came to see Christ and that the Romans have all knoweldge etc. All in Greek is more general meaning a great many or most but not necessarily every single person full stop.

Mary of course needed a Saviour, and he saved her in advance at the moment of her conception. Something he was certainly able to do as we ourselves can be vaccinated before catching certain diseases. Mary's soul truly magnifes the Lord.

Answer 3

It has been a part of Catholic beliefs since the early years of the Church but was offically defined in 1854 and became a part of Catholic Doctrine at that time.

"We declare, pronounce and define that the doctrine which holds that the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the first instant of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace of the Omnipotent God, in virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind, was preserved immaculate from all stain of original sin, has been revealed by God, and therefore should firmly and constantly be believed by all the faithful." -Pope Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus, December 8, 1854

Answer 4

Immaculate Conception refers to the Blessed Virgin Mary, not Jesus. The feast date is December 8.

Answer 5

The Blessed Virgin Mary was born about the year 14-16 BC.

Answer 6

Yes, in one of her final apparitions to Saint Bernadette she called herself the Immaculate Conception.

Answer 7

Church of the Immaculate Conception of Blessed Virgin Mary was created in 1896.

Answer 8

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated in early December.

Answer 9

The Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8 each year.

Answer 10

December 8