----------------------------Original message---------------------------- If I remember correctly from my Catholic days, Jesus's conception is referred to simply as "Virginal Conception." This is supported by the entry in CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, Loyola University Press, 1994 (p.126, if you've got a copy at hand). Judy Dyki Carnbrook Academy of Art Library [log in to unmask] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- > > Some of the replies to the "strange question" about > depictions of the conception of Jesus through Mary's ear > referred to this event (whether aurally or not) as the > "Immaculate Conception." However, "Immaculate Conception" > actually refers to *Mary's* conception: in order to be able to > be mother of the sinless Son of God, she too had to have been > conceived without original sin (hence immaculately). (This is > a Catholic Church doctrine, not accepted by many Protestant > denominations due to lack of biblical basis). The Feast of > the Immaculate Conception is celebrated for Mary on Dec. 8th. > Perhaps a colleague more knowledgeable in the terminology > of the Catholic Church could let us know how Jesus's conception > is officially acknowledged, if at all? > > --K.A. Bayruns > Philadelphia, PA > [log in to unmask] ><