The New York herald., 1879-12-10
A ROMAN FESTIVAL.
CELEBRATING THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE
CONCEPTION WITH SOLEMN MASSES, MUSIC
AND 1LLUMINATIoNs-REvIv THE PoMP
OF THE ANCIENT CHURCH.

AND ILLUMlNATIONS-REVIVING THE POhdP
OF THE ANCIENT CHURCH.
[BY CABLE TO THE HERALD
ROME, Dec. 8, 1879.
Ever since the proclamation of the dogma of
the Immaculate Conception by Plus TX, in
of the most popular Roman festivals and an
effort was made yesterday among the clericals to
celebrate it's twenty-ffth anniversary with un-
usual solemnity. The day was cold but
clear and sunny. The Pope has not
oficiated in public since the Italian oc-
cupation, but Pope Leo received about thou
sand persons, including 500 italian pilgrims.
He gave audience in the hall of the Swiss, sur
rounded by twenty cardinals, with many other
uniform. He addressed fervid but short
speech concerning the dogma, adoring the
sanctity of his predecessor.
IN THE BAsuICAs.
Mass was held in the Basilica of st. Peters
by Cardinal San Stefano. Constant prayers
were offered before the tomb of Plus TX, which
is studded with priceless stones lapis lazuli and
malachites Crowded pilgrmages were made to
his future tomb at San Lorenzo, without the walls.
placed in vacant inches. Grand high mass was
held in all the churches dedicated to the Virgin,
which were decorated with hangipgs, tapestry
and lights In the Basilica of ST Agostino in
the Via Ripetta the miraculous statue
of the Virgin was resplendent with jewels
to the value of millions. Santa Maria,
in Loreto and the Church Of Gesu,
in the Piazza del Gesu near the northern foot
of the Capitol which owes its foundation to
richest churches in Rome, was splendidly
decorated in red and gold, with hangings of
silk and velvet, with consultations of light fol
lowing the lines of its noble architecture, and
an occasional streak of the sun illuminating on
the fresco of cupola and tribune. In the
apse was crimson hanging, against
which the Virgins statue stood out
in bold relief The chapel of San Ignazio
cleaned with precious stones. The marble
group of the Trinity by Bernardino Ludovisi,
and the globe below the Almighty, said to be
the largest mass Of lapis lazuli in the world,
added to the splendor of the scene, which was
as solemn as it was gorgeous.
sANTTssIMo BAMBINO.
Three musical services were performed by the
best artists i'm Rome, hired ut the expense of
devout foreigner whose name was concealed.
There were immense crowds all day in the
Church of the Holy Apostles, behind the
Corso, where Canova erected some of
his finest monuments and the heart
of Maria Clementina Is deposited.
Here Cardinal Howard officiated with his
fine military air, assisted by eight bishops
some of them Oriental--attircd in magnificent
robes. In the Church of Santa Maria d'Ara
Cell on the site of the Temple of Jupiter Capt.
tolinus, and famous for its antiquity, the SER
vices were still more splendid Crowds fiocl1ed
to kneel before. the Santissimo Bambino, the
wooden figure Of the infant Saviour,
still reputcd to have marvellous powers
in healing the sick. Peasantfy from
all parts of tho surrounding country were
among the worshippers. The church was hung
with red blue and white, the Virgins colors,
and blazed with light. In the afternoon it was
crowded for the sermon of Capuchn friar.
In front of the church, facing the Campidoglio,
pcnitcnts assembled the steps of Grccinn
marble on their knees. The antique
columns of the Santa Maria Maggiore
were swathcd with red velvet Countless visits
were paid to the small chapel beneath the high
altar, where are preserved the boards of the
manager in which the Saviour was laid after His
birth. The Cappella Paona, belonging to the
Borghcsc family. containing the miraculous pic
ture of the Virgin and Child attributed to st.
Lake. was brilliantly Illuminated ut vespers.
uLrMrSArroSs AND REJorciNGs.
Cardinal McCloskey's church, the Santa
Maria Sopra MihcrNa' the o"'y "o'"ic cnurcn
in Rome. was not decorated, but frequent SER
VICES were held there. The Santa Maria
della Pace, built by Sixtus w.; tho
Santa Maria in Transtevere, the first
church publicly consccratcd in Rome; and the
Santa Maria In valicclla, better known as the
Chiesa Nova, held splendid musical services.
All the shops were shut The streets were
crowded On Sunday aud Monday evenings