To which specific person does the immaculate conception refer, Jesus Christ or Mary, the mother of Jesus?

Senior Moments

Virginity and Immaculate Conception Since the early church the theme of Mary’s virginity has served as an important emblem of Christianity’s ascetic ideal. The Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and some Protestant traditions teach the perpetual virginity of Mary, placing a nonliteral interpretation on New Testament references to Jesus’ “brothers.” The Roman Catholic Church additionally has proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception (declared in the bull Ineffabilis Deus of Pius IX, 1854), according to which Mary was conceived without original sin. The Roman Catholic Church further teaches that Mary was freed from actual sin by a special grace of God. Oct 14 03, 6:48 AM

mibmob

SM is right; it is a common mistake, even among some clergy, to think that the Virgin birth (Mary conceiving Jesus without losing her virginity and without the involvement of a human man) and the Immaculate conception (Mary being born without the stain of original sin) are the same thing. Oct 14 03, 7:31 AM