Ineffabilis Deus (Latin for "Ineffable God") is the name of an Apostolic constitution written by Pope Pius IX. It defines ex cathedra the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is one a small number of infallible statements by a Catholic Pope. The decree was promulgated on December 8, 1854, the date of the annual Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Latin is an ancient Indo-European language. ... An Apostolic constitution (Latin constitutio apostolica) is a very solemn decree issued by the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. ... Pius IX, born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti (May 13, 1792 – February 7, 1878), was Pope for a record pontificate (not counting the Apostle St. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Papal infallibility. ... Dogma (the plural is either dogmata or dogmas) is belief or doctrine held by a religion, ideology or any kind of organization to be authoritative and not to be disputed or doubted. ... Mary, mother of Jesus as the Immaculate Conception. ... Blessed Virgin Mary A traditional Catholic picture sometimes displayed in homes. ... It has been suggested that Ex cathedra be merged into this article or section. ... The current Pope is Benedict XVI (born Joseph Alois Ratzinger), who was elected at the age of 78 on 19 April 2005. ... Promulgation is the act of formally proclaiming new legislation to the public. ... 1854 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated in some Christian churches on 8 December. ...

The decree surveys the history of the belief in Christian tradition, citing its roots in the long-standing feast of the Conception of Mary as a date of significance in the Eastern and Western churches. It also cites the approval of Catholic bishops worldwide who were asked in 1849 to offer their opinion on the matter.

The dogmatic statement is expressed near the end of the document:

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.

The entire decree is also worded to suggest that Mary's Immaculate Conception was not in any sense a logical necessity, but rather a divine gift to Mary as Mother of God. Jesus (8–2 BC/BCE to 29–36 AD/CE),[1] also known as Jesus of Nazareth, is the central figure of Christianity. ... This page is about the title or the Divine Person. For the Christian figure, see Jesus. ... Savior refers to a person who helps people achieve Salvation. ... Michelangelos painting of the sin of Adam and Eve (the Fall) According to Christian tradition, Original sin is the general and non-personal condition of sinfulness (lack of holiness) into which human beings are born. ... Russian Orthodox Icon of the Theotokos Theotokos is a Greek word that means God-bearer or Mother of God. It is a title assigned by the early Christian Church to Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the Third Ecumenical Council held at Ephesus in 431. ...

See also

• Immaculate Conception
• Papal infallibility

Mary, mother of Jesus as the Immaculate Conception. ... It has been suggested that Ex cathedra be merged into this article or section. ...

External links

• Complete text of the decree.