December 8th: Today in 1854 with the publication of Ineffabilis Deus by Pope Pope Pius IX the doctrine of Immaculate Conception which holds that Christ’s mother Mary was born without sin became official doctrine in the Catholic church. I was surprised by how late this became doctrine, apparently it was a commonly held belief before then, but it was not official until 1854. Most of my study of Christian history was early medieval and I had just assumed this was church doctrine going back that far. One thing I did have right was that the concept of Immaculate Conception doesn’t refer to Mary’s virgin conception of Christ, but of Mary herself being conceived to live without sin. Complicated stuff this religion stuff is. Anyway, to all who accept the doctrine, have a happy feast of the Immaculate Conception today.

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