The Immaculate Conception is a doctrine in the Catholic Church that refers to the belief that the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, was conceived without original sin. It does not refer to the virgin birth of Jesus, but rather to the conception of Mary herself in the womb of her mother, Saint Anne. The belief is that from the first moment of her existence, Mary was preserved by God from the stain of original sin.
Dogma:
This doctrine was formally defined as dogma by Pope Pius IX in 1854 in the papal bull "Ineffabilis Deus". It states that Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, "by a singular grace and privilege of Almighty God and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, preserved free from all stain of original sin."
Theologically, this doctrine underscores the role of Mary as the mother of God (Theotokos) and her suitability to bear the sinless Christ. It is seen as a special grace given to her due to her role in salvation history.
While not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, supporters of the doctrine point to various scriptural passages like Genesis 3:15 (where enmity is put between the serpent and the woman), Luke 1:28 (where Mary is called "full of grace"), and others as indirect references or foreshadowing of this belief. The doctrine also relies heavily on tradition and the writings of Church Fathers.
Misconceptions
- Many mistakenly believe this refers to the birth of Jesus without human intervention, which is actually termed the "Virgin Birth" of Jesus.
- Others think it might imply that Mary was conceived without human intervention, which is not what the doctrine teaches.
Parishes
| Parish | Diocese | City | AdministrativeSubdivision | Country | ParishWebsite |
| Parish | Diocese | City | AdministrativeSubdivision | Country | ParishWebsite |
| Archdiocesan Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of the Beach (Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia) | Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia | Salvador, BA | Bahia | Brazil | https://www.basilicaconceicaodapraia.com.br/ |
| Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Albany) | Diocese of Albany | Albany, NY | New York | United States | https://cathedralic.com/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Archdiocese of Baltimore, Baltimore) | Diocese of Metropolitan Archdiocese of Baltimore | Baltimore, MD | Maryland | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception (Archdiocese of Baltimore, Emmitsburg) | Diocese of Metropolitan Archdiocese of Baltimore | Towson, MD | Maryland | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception (Archdiocese of Baltimore, Towson) | Diocese of Metropolitan Archdiocese of Baltimore | Towson, MD | Maryland | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception (Archdiocese of Newark) | Archdiocese of Newark | Hackensack, NJ | New Jersey | United States | https://www.icchackensack.com |
| Immaculate Conception (Archdiocese of Newark) | Archdiocese of Newark | Hackensack, NJ | New Jersey | United States | https://www.icchackensack.com |
| Immaculate Conception (Archdiocese of Newark) | Archdiocese of Newark | Hackensack, NJ | New Jersey | United States | https://www.icchackensack.com |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Albany, Glenville) | Diocese of Albany | Glenville, NY | New York | United States | https://www.olgicsj.org |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Albany, Glenville) | Diocese of Albany | Glenville, NY | New York | United States | https://www.immaculateconceptionglenville.com/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Albany, Haines Falls) | Diocese of Albany | Haines Falls, NY | New York | United States | https://www.immaculateconceptionhainesfalls.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Albany, Haines Falls) | Diocese of Albany | Haines Falls, NY | New York | United States | https://www.immaculateconceptionhainesfalls.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Albany, Hoosick Falls) | Diocese of Albany | Hoosick Falls, NY | New York | United States | https://www.battenkillcatholic.org |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Albany, Hoosick Falls) | Diocese of Albany | Hoosick Falls, NY | New York | United States | https://www.immaculateconceptionhoosickfalls.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Albany, New Lebanon) | Diocese of Albany | New Lebanon, NY | New York | United States | https://www.immaculateconceptionnewlebanon.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Albany, New Lebanon) | Diocese of Albany | New Lebanon, NY | New York | United States | https://parishes.rcda.org/ImmaculateConceptionStJosephs/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Alexandria in Louisiana) | Diocese of Alexandria | Dupont, LA | Louisiana | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Allentown) | Diocese of Allentown | Jim Thorpe, PA | Pennsylvania | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown, Dudley) | Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown | Dudley, PA | Pennsylvania | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown, Lock Haven) | Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown | Lock Haven, PA | Pennsylvania | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown, New Germany) | Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown | Pennsylvania, PA | Pennsylvania | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Amarillo, Perryton) | Diocese of Amarillo | Perryton, TX | Texas | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Amarillo, Vega) | Diocese of Amarillo | Vega, TX | Texas | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge) | Diocese of Baton Rouge | Baton Rouge, LA | Louisiana | United States | http://www.immaculateconceptionbr.org |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Baton Rouge, Denham Springs) | Diocese of Baton Rouge | Denham Springs, LA | Louisiana | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Baton Rouge, Lakeland) | Diocese of Baton Rouge | Lakeland, LA | Louisiana | United States | http://www.immaculateconceptionlakeland.com |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Baton Rouge, Napoleonville) | Diocese of Baton Rouge | Napoleonville, LA | Louisiana | United States | http://www.bayoulandchurches.com |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Beaumont, Groves) | Diocese of Beaumont | Groves, TX | Texas | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Beaumont, Liberty) | Diocese of Beaumont | Liberty, TX | Texas | United States | http://www.icclibertytx.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Belleville, Bridgeport) | Diocese of Belleville | Bridgeport, IL | Illinois | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Belleville, Columbia) | Diocese of Belleville | Columbia, IL | Illinois | United States | http://icc-columbia-il.us |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Belleville, East St. Louis) | Diocese of Belleville | East St. Louis, IL | Illinois | United States | https://staugustineeaststlouis.com/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Belleville, Kaskaskia) | Diocese of Belleville | Kaskaskia, IL | Illinois | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Belleville, Madonnaville) | Diocese of Belleville | Madonnaville, IL | Illinois | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Belleville, Tamaroa) | Diocese of Belleville | Tamaroa, IL | Illinois | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Biloxi) | Diocese of Biloxi | Laurel, MS | Mississippi | United States | http://laurelcatholic.com/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Birmingham) | Diocese of Birmingham | Roanoke, AL | Alabama | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Bismarck, Max) | Diocese of Bismarck | Max, ND | North Dakota | United States | http://www.stnicholaschurchgarrison.com/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Boise City, Buhl) | Diocese of Boise City | Buhl, ID | Idaho | United States | http://www.icbuhl.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Charlotte, Canton) | Diocese of Charlotte | Canton, NC | North Carolina | United States | https://stjohnrcc.com/immaculate-conception-mission/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Charlotte, Forest City) | Diocese of Charlotte | Forest City, NC | North Carolina | United States | https://www.immaculateconceptionforestcity.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Charlotte, Hendersonville) | Diocese of Charlotte | Hendersonville, NC | North Carolina | United States | http://www.immaculateconceptionchurch.com |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Harrisburg, Berwick) | Diocese of Harrisburg | Berwick, PA | Pennsylvania | United States | http://www.stmarysberwick.com/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Harrisburg, Fairfield) | Diocese of Harrisburg | Fairfield, PA | Pennsylvania | United States | https://www.immaculateconceptionfairfield.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Harrisburg, Fairfield) | Diocese of Harrisburg | Fairfield, PA | Pennsylvania | United States | http://www.stmarysfairfieldpa.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Harrisburg, New Oxford) | Diocese of Harrisburg | New Oxford, PA | Pennsylvania | United States | https://icbvmnewoxford.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Harrisburg, York) | Diocese of Harrisburg | York, PA | Pennsylvania | United States | http://www.stmarysyork.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Metuchen, Annandale) | Diocese of Metuchen | Annandale, NJ | New Jersey | United States | https://www.immaculateconceptionannandale.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Metuchen, Annandale) | Diocese of Metuchen | Annandale, NJ | New Jersey | United States | http://www.iccannandale.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Metuchen, Somerville) | Diocese of Metuchen | Somerville, NJ | New Jersey | United States | http://www.immaculateconception.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Metuchen, Spotswood) | Diocese of Metuchen | Spotswood, NJ | New Jersey | United States | https://www.immaculateconceptionchurch.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Metuchen, Spotswood) | Diocese of Metuchen | Spotswood, NJ | New Jersey | United States | http:// www.chicspotswood.com/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Military Ordinariate of Archdiocese for the Military Services of the United States, Minot AFB) | Diocese of Military Ordinariate of Archdiocese for the Military Services of the United States | Minot AFB, ND | North Dakota | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Paterson) | Diocese of Paterson | Franklin, NJ | New Jersey | United States | https://iccfranklin.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Paterson) | Diocese of Paterson | Pompton Lakes, NJ | New Jersey | United States | https://www.immaculateconceptionpomptonlakes.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Reno) | Diocese of Reno | Sparks, NV | Nevada | United States | http://icsparks.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Rockville Centre, Huntington) | Diocese of Rockville Centre | Huntington, NY | New York | United States | https://www.immaculateconceptionhuntington.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Rockville Centre, Westhampton Beach) | Diocese of Rockville Centre | Westhampton Beach, NY | New York | United States | https://www.immaculateconceptionwesthampton.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Rockville Centre, Westhampton Beach) | Diocese of Rockville Centre | Westhampton Beach, NY | New York | United States | http://www.iccwhb.org |
| Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (Diocese of Fairbanks) | Diocese of Fairbanks | Fairbanks, AK | Alaska | United States | https://iccfairbanks.org |
| Immaculate Conception of Mary (Diocese of Amarillo) | Diocese of Amarillo | Dimmit, TX | Texas | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Diocese of Allentown) | Diocese of Allentown | Douglassville, PA | Pennsylvania | United States | |
| Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Diocese of Harrisburg, Fairfield) | Diocese of Harrisburg | Fairfield, PA | Pennsylvania | United States | https://www.stmarysfairfieldpa.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Diocese of Harrisburg) | Diocese of Harrisburg | Fairfield, PA | Pennsylvania | United States | https://www.stmarysfairfieldpa.org/ |
| Immaculate Conception Parish (Archdiocese of Chicago) | Chicago, IL | Chicago, IL | Illinois | United States | https://www.icchicago.org |
| Parish of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia) | Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia | Salvador, BA | Bahia | Brazil | https://www.basilicaconceicaodapraia.com.br/ |
| Parish of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (Lapinha) (Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia) | Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia | Salvador, BA | Bahia | Brazil | |
| Parish of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (Lapinha) (Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia) | Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia | Salvador, BA | Bahia | Brazil | |
| Parish of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (Lapinha) (Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia) | Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia | Salvador, BA | Bahia | Brazil | |
| Parish of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (Periperi) (Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia) | Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia | Salvador, BA | Bahia | Brazil | |
| Parish of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (Tororó) (Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia) | Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia | Salvador, BA | Bahia | Brazil | |
| Parish of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (Valéria) (Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia) | Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia | Salvador, BA | Bahia | Brazil | |
| Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Arlington) | Diocese of Arlington | Fredericksburg, VA | Virginia | United States | http://www.stmaryfred.org/ |
| St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Archdiocese of Baltimore) | Diocese of Metropolitan Archdiocese of Baltimore | Cumberland, MD | Maryland | United States | |
| St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Arlington) | Diocese of Arlington | Fredericksburg, VA | Virginia | United States | https://stmaryfred.org/ |
| St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Baker) | Diocese of Baker | Hood River, OR | Oregon | United States | |
| St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Norwich in Connecticut) | Diocese of Norwich in Connecticut | Baltic, CT | Connecticut | United States | https://www.stmaryjc.weconnect.com |
| St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Norwich in Connecticut) | Diocese of Norwich in Connecticut | Putnam, CT | Connecticut | United States | https://www.stmaryputnam.org/ |
| St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Norwich) | Diocese of Norwich | Putnam, CT | Connecticut | United States | https://www.stmaryputnam.org/ |
| St. Mary the Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Belleville) | Diocese of Belleville | Mount Vernon, IL | Illinois | United States | https://www.stmarymtvernon.org |