The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-02-16

dressed to no other; it was reserved for Mary
alone" Nevertheless, st. John the Baptist
was BORN p;thomt SIN, having been sanctified
in his mothers womb, and if Mary had a
greater privilege reserved for her, it could
only be that of being CONCEIVED 'c'thout
sin. st. Ambrose, st. John Chrysostom, and
St, Augustine make known the tradition of
the fourth and fifth centuries. st: John
Damascene, born in the seventh century, has
spoken SO clearly of the Immaculate Com
ception, that he is regarded as the one who
made this belief popular in the Eastern
Church. The silence of other doctors is
only negative proof, from which no con-
clusion can be drawn. 1t is not easy then
to see how it can be said that tradition on
this point goes no further back than the
eleventh century, for it ia certain hat-t41e
Feast of the Conception Of the Blessed
Virgin was already ancient in the Eastern
Church in tbe~mnth century. Now, the
-Churcla~honors- feasts- only what is
holy and pure, and if the Conception Of
Mary had been like that of all other chiid-
rem of Adam, stained even for an instant by
the original blot, the Church never would
have made it the object Of one Of her feasts.
We would not attempt to refute all the
objections raised against this doctrine, but
Il is asked sometimes why the Council of
Trent did not define the dogma of the Inn
maculate Conception. The Council OF
Trent intended only to maintain the integ-
rity and purity of Catholic teaching, and la
bored to bring back Professionals to the unity
ef the faith, and it was, therefore, disposed
1ather to diminish than to increase the OBJ
stacles in their way SO that, considering
the circumstances and disposition Of the
public mind, it would have been q badly
chosen moment to impose the sclief of the
Immaculate Conception on men who scarce
" respected even the most essential truths.
But the Council of Trent manifested SO
clearly it's true sentiments on tho subject,
that from that time the belief became more
general, and it was considered rash to hold
m opinion against it. The Council declares
that in it's decree on original sin it does
not intend to include the Blessed and
Immaculate Virgin Mary, mother of God.
Ifnot included, she is, therefore, exempted
= from the common stain. 1t renewed the
Constitution of Sixtus the Fourth, which
forbade any enet to write or teach publicly
anything contrarF to the immaculate Con-
ception./ Hence, we do not hesitate to say
that the Council of Trent was the real pro-
meter of the definition of the dogma, and
that the declaration of the 18th of June,
1876, began the work so gloriously termi-
mated by Plus TX, in his dogmatic procla-
rdartion OF the 9Th December, 1S54----
he article then is. malicious and wicked.
The author shows that he is in bad faith.
4 He, affects IN air OF moderation which might
deceive III first sight, but we easily perceive
that he dees not seek the truth sincerely !;
he only woald fam insinuate doubts and
trouble into simple minds. But all true
Catholics, even should they be incapable of
refuting his sophistrfes, VIII ever hold
firmly to the teachings f the Church,
knowing that while guarded Ivy her, they
will meyer fall into error.
PLEASURES OF READING.-Erery head>af