, 1855-03-31
The Immaculate Conception.

particulars of the late convocation at
Rome, the proceedings of which are at
tracing considerable attention:
RoME, Dee. llth, 1854.
The Immaculate Conception Of the Nir-
gin is now fixed fact-a settled dogma of
faith in the Roman Catholic Church. 1t
was magisterialy proclaimed in the midst
Of the celebration of the fete of the Con
ccption in st. Peters on the Sth instant,
by the authentic voice of the Supreme Pom
tiif The circumstances were imposing
Over two hundred ful-robed ecclesiastical
dignitaries, including sixty Cardinals, and
one hundred and forty Arch Bishops and
Bishops, representing every part of the
world. besides innumcrablc lesser Office
bearers of the Church, assisted in the GER
emonics Of the eminent occasion. Perhaps
so remarkable an assembly has not been
convoked in the Metropolitan Cathedral
before, since the commencement of the cen
tury.
The grand procession was formed at the
Vatican at 81 o'clock in the morning. 1t
included the POpe's choir, the civil author
tiles Of the city, and the whole papal house
hold, en- costume, with the candles and va
rous other insignia of fcstal occasions, and
moved in solemn state to the cathedral,
chanting the prescribed Litany. A long
line of officials preceded the rich baldachin
of the Pontif A more sumptuous cortege
could scarcely be conceived.
The spectacle in the church after the
Pope mounted the throne, surrounded by
the gorgeous suite, was, perhaps, too orr
entail to suit western notions of religious
rites; but the services were nevertheless
performed with becoming dignity. After
the chanting of the Evangeists in Latin
and in Greek, Cardinal Maechi as doyen
Of the Sacred College, conformity with the
preates present, including the Bishops of
the Greek and Armenian rites, presented
ut the foot Of the throne petition in the
Latin tongue, Of which subjoin free
translation, viz:
THAT which for long time, o Most
Holy Father, has been ardently desired,
and with full voice demanded by the Cath
olic Church, viz:-the definite decision by
your supreme and infallible Judgment, Of
the Immaculate Conception Of the Most
Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God, for
augmenting her praise, her glory, and her
veneration, we, in the name Of the Sacred
College of Cardinals, of the Bishops of the
Catholic world, and of oil the faithful, hum
bly, and urgently pray that in this solemni-
ty Of the Most Holy Virgin, may be ac-
complished the common desire. For which
end, in the midst of this august sacrifice
in this Temple, sacred to the Prince of the
Apostles, and in this solemn assembly of
the most ample Senate of Bishops and peo-
pie, deign, o Most Holy Father, to raise
your apostolic voice, and pronounce the
dogmatic decree of the Immaculate Con
ception Of. Mary, by which there will be
joy in Heaven and grcatrejoicing on Earth
The Pope responded that he willingly re-
ceiyed the petition, but added that it was
necessary to invoke the aid Of the Holy
Spirit, in order to answer it. The HeRi
Creator was then chanted by the choir and
the whole assembly after which the SOW
ereign Pontiif read aloud, but with trem-
ulous voice, (in Latin) the following;
DECREE.
II is a dogma Of faith, that The most Bles-
sed Virgin IN The first instant Of her eOnop-
lion, by The singular pririLegc aud grace of
God, IN ririue Of The merits Of Jesus Christ,
Sariour Of The human rae, lcaS preserved
erempt from all touch of original sin.
The pronunciation of the decree was in
stantly announced to the world without by
the cannon of the Castle of St. Angelo;
when all the bells of Rome forthwith com
menced joyful chime, and the inhabitants
displayed their various cOlored satin and
damask ensigns from the windows and bal
comics Of the city. The gloomy streets
suddenly become us gay as the aower-bor-
dered walks of pleasure garden.
On the conclusion Of the Church cere-
monies, with Hymn of Thanksgiving, in
which the whole vast congregation joined,
the procession was reformed and returned
to the Vatican, the Pope being borne in a
pontiical chair to the Chapel Of Sextus
~, where, in due form, he crowned the
image of the Virgin with q crown of gold,
sparkling with precious gems Among the
distinguished spectators Of the ceremonies
were the Queen Of Saxony, the Diplomatic
Corps, and the chief officers of the French
garrison.
The entire city was Illuminated in the
evening, including the cupola of the Vati-
can, and the French and Italian bands
made the air vocal with the choicest music
for hours. Cardinal Wiseman also made
discourse on the occasion in the Conserva-
tory, to all ilusirous audience.
The next morning the Pope held Con-
sistory in the Apostolic Palace, and made
an address to the assembled prelates, thank
ing them for their assistance in the sacred
functions of the occasion, and exhorting
them to faithful observance of duty in
the case. Cardinal Bonald, of France, re-
sponded in behalf of the assembly. A
gold medal was then distributed, bearing
the image Of the Virgin on one side, and
the following Latin epigraph on the other,
/" Deinaas Virpine sine lahe coTceDtH Plus