Patrons

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

The Immaculate Conception is the belief that the Virgin Mary was free of original sin from the moment of her conception.^[1] It is one of the four Marian dogmas of the Catholic Church.^[2] Debated by medieval theologians, it was not defined as a dogma until 1854,^[3] by Pope Pius IX in the papal bull Ineffabilis Deus.^[4] While the Immaculate Conception asserts Mary's freedom from original sin, the Council of Trent, held between 1545 and 1563, had previously affirmed her freedom from personal sin.^[5]

The Immaculate Conception became a popular subject in literature,^[6] but its abstract nature meant it was late in appearing as a subject in works of art.^[7] The iconography of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception shows Mary standing, with arms outstretched or hands clasped in prayer. The feast day of the Immaculate Conception is December 8.^[8]

^{St therese of lisieux}