The Diocese of Milwaukee commemorated the celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8, which is a holy day of obligation within the Catholic Church. 

On this feast day, the Church celebrates and affirms the Marian Dogma that the Virgin Mary conceived without the stain of original sin. 

“On Dec. 8, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Under this title, Mary is the patroness of the United States. Pray with us on this Holy Day of obligation, as we honor our Mother, who continues to guide us on our journey of faith,” Archdiocese of Milwaukee posted on Facebook.

An important doctrine in the Catholic Church is that of original sin. This doctrine teaches that all humans are born in a sinful state, which we have inherited from the first humans, Adam and Eve, who chose to disobey God, therefore bringing sin into the world. Unlike the rest of humanity, Mary was preserved from original sin through the merits of her son, Jesus Christ.

The Catholic Church teaches that while all of humanity has the opportunity to obtain spiritual salvation in their life after birth thanks to the redemption, which Christ made possible in his death on the cross to pay the penalty of sin. 

“The essence of original sin consists in the deprivation of sanctifying grace, and its stain is a corrupt nature,” according to Catholic Answers.

Mary was saved from ever suffering the stain of original sin, the Church teaches and affirms. 

According to Catholic Answers, many Catholics misunderstand the meaning of this important feast day, confusing it with the conception of Christ. 

“It’s important to understand what the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is and what it is not. Some people think the term refers to Christ’s conception in Mary’s womb without the intervention of a human father; but that is the Virgin Birth. Others think the Immaculate Conception means Mary was conceived 'by the power of the Holy Spirit,' in the way Jesus was, but that, too, is incorrect.”