Marian Dogmas and the Immaculate Conception

The dogma that Mary was conceived without Original Sin, remaining sinless throughout her life.

The latin term for "without stain", this refers to Mary being free from Original Sin and personal sin.

The Immaculate Conception states that Mary was born without Original Sin, but was still conceived naturally by her parents Joachim and Anne.

"The Blessed Virgin Mary[...]was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin" (Pius IX, 1854). This phrase highlights the unique grace given to Mary.

The date, December 8th, is chosen as it is exactly nine months before the Nativity of Mary (September 8th).

A doctrine officially declared by the Church that every Catholic must believe.

The title granted to Mary by the Council of Ephesus, meaning 'God-bearer' or 'The One who Gives Birth to God.'

The belief that Mary, as the mother of Jesus who is God, is also the Mother of God.

The dogma, declared by the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, that Mary is the Mother of God.

The Council of Ephesus, in 431 AD, declared Mary as 'Theotokos,' or 'God-bearer,' affirming her unique role as Mother of God.

The title "Mother of God" (Theotokos) is given to Mary because she is the mother of Jesus Christ, who is both fully God and fully human.

Nestorius argued that Mary should only be called "Mother of Christ" (Christotokos) because he believed that Jesus' divinity and humanity were separate.

The Council of Ephesus affirmed that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human, with a single divine person. As such, Mary is rightfully called "Mother of God" (Theotokos).

The Annunciation, where Gabriel tells Mary she will give birth to the Son of God, and the Visitation, where Elizabeth calls Mary "the mother of my Lord," are key biblical passages supporting the title "Mother of God".

The solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is celebrated on January 1st.

The belief that Mary remained a virgin throughout her entire life, even after giving birth to Jesus.

The Greek term for the dogma of Mary's perpetual virginity, meaning 'Ever Virgin'.

The Council of Nicea (325 AD) formally defined the dogma of the Perpetual Virginity of Mary, which is also included in the Apostles' Creed.

The dogma states that Mary remained a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus.

Nestorius, who opposed the title 'Theotokos', was removed from his diocese and retired to a monastery.

Mary remained a virgin before conceiving Jesus through the Holy Spirit. This is based on the accounts in Luke 1:26-35 and Matthew 1:20.

Mary's virginity was not lost during the birth of Jesus. The Catholic Church affirms this belief through multiple councils and teachings. It was a miraculous birth.

The Catholic Church believes that Mary remained a virgin after the birth of Jesus as well. This is rooted in multiple doctrinal pronouncements and is a widely accepted teaching.

The Council of Trent declared that Mary experienced no pain in giving birth to Jesus. This statement adds to understanding the miracle of her virginity.

The belief in Mary's perpetual virginity is a central tenet of the Catholic Church, emphasizing the unique nature of Jesus' birth. It is a testament to the divine intervention involved.

The belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken bodily and spiritually into Heaven after her death.

This refers to the empty tomb of Mary, indicating she did not undergo physical death like others.

This belief aligns with the belief that Jesus also ascended to Heaven after his death.

This is the theological concept that Mary's body and soul were taken directly to Heaven.

This tradition is considered part of the general understanding of death, mirroring Jesus' experience.

In the Bible, the word "brothers" can refer to relatives, not just siblings. It could also mean fellow Christians sharing the same faith.

The Greek word adelphoi in the gospels can refer to both siblings and relatives, highlighting the broader sense of family and faith.

Jewish traditions emphasize family care, suggesting Jesus would have entrusted his mother to his siblings if he had any. However, Jesus entrusted his mother to John, suggesting he had no siblings.

Because Jesus was the only son of Mary, he entrusted his mother to John, adhering to Jewish filial expectations. This suggests Jesus did not have siblings.

The Protoevangelium of James supports the idea that Mary did not have other children. It describes Mary's marriage to a widower named Joseph, suggesting Mary remained a virgin throughout her life.

The doctrine that Mary was conceived immaculate (exempt from Original Sin) was first formulated in England during the time of St. Anselm (1033-1109).

Theologians like Bl. John Duns Scotus and most Franciscans maintained that Mary, being the Mother of God and full of grace, could not possibly be stained by any sin, including Original Sin.

Theologians like St. Bernard, St. Bonaventure, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Dominicans generally argued that Mary was free from actual sin but, like other descendants of Adam, was conceived with Original Sin.

"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28) - Being "full of grace" (kecharitomene in Greek) means Mary was in the purest state of sanctifying grace, thus immune from any stain of sin.

Mary is immaculate because she is a virgin. The fact that Mary is immaculate has nothing to do with her virginity, but rather the natural intercourse between husband and wife is a sin.

All men need to be saved by Jesus, but in Mary's case, salvation was anticipated to her conception, so that Jesus Christ could be born from a sinless and perfectly pure mother.

One of the two main traditions, believing Mary fell asleep and was taken to Heaven by angels.

The other main tradition, believing Mary died and was buried before her body disappeared, symbolizing her ascension into Heaven.

A woman clothed with the sun, moon under her feet, and twelve stars.

The Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, full of grace.

The feast day celebrating the declaration of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

The series of apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Saint Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France.

The title given to Mary at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, meaning 'God-bearer' or 'The One who Gives Birth to God'.