The New York herald., 1869-12-08
FEAST OF TIE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.

The Festival and Its Observance In This City.
To-day In all the Catholic churches throughout the
world VIII be held solemn service In honor OF the
immaculate conception OF the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Mother OF God. Each OF the countries In
which Cathohclty has at any time pre-
vailed has been placed by the fathers OF
the Church under the tuteags OF some OF
those persons who have been Immediately connected
with the Inauguration or propagation OF Christianity
In such countries, and who, by their lives Deaths
had gwen evidence OF their having been chosen by
God as HIS special messengers to mankind, and
whose stewardship on earth having been faithfully
performed are generally believed to have been re.
warded by the Creator With seats before the Throne
OF Grace. In such countries the Catholic popu-
laiion seek, IN their prayers, the Intercession
OF tner patron saints, and celebrate the days
set apart In the Church calendar as tue
special days on which to honor the Aforesaid patron
saints with feasting and festivities Of various kinds
America not having any saInted Catholic hero con-
Decto1 with her history, has been placed by the
fathers OF the Church uader the especial guardian.
ship Of the Mother OF God and the festivals honor
tho blessed Virgin, are therefore, regarded as OF
more than ordinary Importance in this country
onaer existing circumstances, therefore, II may not
be out Of place TO refer briefly TO the doctrine
OF the Immaculate Conception aud the practce of
hChoring IT,
BELIEF IN TEE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
has prevaed In the Church from the earliest ages
early lturgies would tend show, but was not
until the year 1864 that the dogma OF the immaculate
Conception was made an article OF faith. In the lit
URGES oil 81. James, st. Mark. ST. Basil ana ST. CBry
sOstom the terms lmmaculate,h most noiy,n sever
vrgin, are frequently applied TO Mary. ana DIR. Pear
SON Bishop OF Norwich, whose work the creed has
been generally adopted as TIE text book the SEMI
mares OF the Anglican Church. says:-"we believe
the mother OF our Lord 10 nave neen not only before
ana after His nativity but aiso Tor ever the most
Immaculate ana Blessed Virgin" ST. Tnesiphon, the
/ disciple Of 81. James, aisess that MARY never
knew SIM maria non tettgit peccatu7l), and that
i II abe had been conceived IN sin the angel never
would nave SAID to her "ilai Mary. full OF grace.n
| orlgen, In the third age. calls Mary "Im-
the many authorities quoted by Catholic theoogians
IN confirmation VI the belief In the Immaculate Con-
eeppon, ana " was In accordance with tue belief
| founded on these authorities that Pope Plus TX,
acting az tue mouthpece o the assembled preates OF
tue word, Issued the decree:"It IL q dogma OF the
hfst instant oi her conception, py singular priyl-
lege and grace oil cod IN virtue OF the merits OF
Jesus Snrlst ihe saviour OF mankind was preserved
perfectly Tree Hoin all stain OF original sinn
THB FESTIVAL
In honor OF the immaculate Conception was Is Is
asserted nrst celebrated IN Egypt IN the second age
OF the Church, ana mat tho Egyptians received tus
| IDEA nom st Mark The Evangelist. The Ethiopc-
Abysslnap CnurcD is likewise SAID TO have had the
iestiyal IN the same age The celebration OF the
festival was introduced from the East into England
ana thence INTO France and other parts OF tue
Neatern world, In the prayer hooks OF tue Anglican
Church the festival ia marked In the calendar Tor the
| 5tn day oI December, and on that Gay the Cathoic
| Church also celebrates IL.
In THIS city while the feast will be be duly cele.
braed to-day, the principal exercises In commelnor-
| atlon wlll De deferred uDtii sunday next These
generally consist OF PROFESSIONS 10y the sodalites or
| religious societies connected with the cnurcnes
| parskinR or the eucharist; sermons and hymns OF
| praise and thanks by tue clergy and Ialty The
crowded condition OF the streets aud tue press no
demands Of business render the postponement OF the
pubic exercises necessary IN many quarters, aud
| on the quiet sabbath, when oil are free TO attend
tne1r religious duties, the FESTIVAL wiz be eommom
| GRATED VITA all possible ecdt