The official doctrine of the Immaculate Conception

Defined as a Doctrine

 

In the papal bull 'Ineffabilis Deus' , Pope Pius IX defined the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception as an article of faith on December 8th 1854. The dogma centres upon the victory of God's grace freely given in Christ. Because of sins universality, the entire human race is offered salvation through God's mercy in the life, death and resurrection of our Saviour before any merits or deserving works on our part. God's victory over sin is celebrated as Mary is conceived and her unsullied union with Him established. It will be her willing acceptance of motherhood which brings Christ to the world and our transgression, by way of our first parents is atoned. Her Son rescues from sin those already fallen and, in His Mother's case, demonstrates His redemptive power by preserving her innocence, for grace is more original than sin. '