IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

On this date in 1854, Pope Pius IX published his encyclical Ineffabilis Deus which stated that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was, unlike all other humans, conceived and born free of original sin. That doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church has become known as the Immaculate Conception. This is an optional belief in Lutheran and Episcopal churches. The Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church as well as most other Protestant Christian churches do not accept the idea but consider Mary among the holiest of people. Because of this, it is a stumbling block to christian ecumenism.

Today is the religious feast day celebrating the Immaculate Conception of Mary by some Christian churches and the Conception of Mary by others. In many countries of South America and in several southern European countries, this is a national holiday. Note that it is not the celebration of Mary's conception of Jesus Christ but Anne's conception of Mary.
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