Conceptionists
Ordo Immaculatæ Conceptionis | |
 | |
| Abbreviation | O.I.C. |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Conceptionists |
| Formation | 1484 |
| Founder | Beatrice of Silva |
| Founded at | Toledo, Spain |
| Type | Monastic Order of Pontifical Right for women |
| Members | 1,409 members as of 2020 |
| Website | www.concepcionistas.info |
The Order of the Immaculate Conception (Latin: Ordo Immaculatae Conceptionis, Spanish: Orden de la Inmaculada Concepción), abbreviated as OIC, also known as Conceptionists, is a enclosed religious order of Pontifical Right for nuns founded by Beatrice of Silva in 1484. Initially they followed the Cistercian Rule. In 1501, however, they adopted the Rule of St. Clare, in common with the Order of Poor Clares, founded by Clare of Assisi, but in 1511 they were recognized by the Holy See as a separate religious order, with a new Rule unique to their order. Despite this change, they continue to be considered a part of the Franciscan Second Order. (In some areas they are still known as the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception.)