Ineffabilis
Deus - The Immaculate Conception - Apostolic Constitution issued by Pope Pius
IX on 8 December 1854
"We
declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most
Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular
grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus
Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of
original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly
and constantly by all the faithful."
1. The first
reference to Mary in Luke occurs when the angel Gabriel is sent to Nazareth ‘to
a virgin betrothed to a man of the house of David, whose name was Joseph; and
the virgin name was Mary’ (1: 26-27). Gabriel’s annunciation is concerned with
the future greatness of Jesus, and its primary emphasis is Christological. We
should not forget this Christology even though there has been more Marian
reflection based on this scene than on any other in the NT.
2. All are
aware with how much diligence this doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the
Mother of God has been handed down, proposed and defended by the most
outstanding religious orders, by the more celebrated theological academies, and
by very eminent doctors in the sciences of theology. All know, likewise, how
eager the bishops have been to profess openly and publicly, even in
ecclesiastical assemblies, that Mary, the most holy Mother of God, by virtue of
the foreseen merits of Christ, our Lord and Redeemer, was never subject to
original sin, but was completely preserved from the original taint, and hence
she was redeemed in a manner more sublime.
3. To the
Fathers of the Church, Mary is an almost infinite treasury, an inexhaustible
abyss of these gifts, to such an extent that she was never subject to the curse
and was, together with her Son, the only partaker of perpetual benediction.
Hence she was worthy to hear Elizabeth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, exclaim:
"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
4. Many
Popes approved confraternities, congregations and religious communities founded
in honor of the Immaculate Conception, monasteries, hospitals, altars, or
churches; they praised persons who vowed to uphold with all their ability the
doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God. Besides, it
afforded the greatest joy to our predecessors to ordain that the Feast of the
Conception should be celebrated in every church with the very same honor as the
Feast of the Nativity; that it should be celebrated with an octave by the whole
Church; that it should be reverently and generally observed as a holy day of
obligation.
5. Christian
holiness is embodied in Mary and must be realized in the Church. It is God’s
transforming presence which must become fruitful in life and work. The scanty
biblical data would not be sufficient as a basis for systematic ethics and
spirituality but Mary is transparent, filled with the mystery of God. When
people pray before her image they enter into God’s presence.
The feast
of Immaculate Conception is one of the greatest solemnities in the Church.
Mary’s holiness is the hope and model for all of us. Let us surrender totally
to our Mother by seeking protection under her powerful mantle. Let us ask our
Blessed mother to intercede for us to keep ourselves pure and holy.
Courtesy
INEFFABILIS DEUS (The
Immaculate Conception) Pope Pius IX - Apostolic Constitution issued on December
8, 1854.
Mary in the New Testament –
Raymond Brown
Mary Mother of the Savior – J.
Neuner, SJ
