The Washington times., 1904-12-04
CATHOLICS PLAN
BIG CELEBRATION
HOnOrs to Be Paid to Mem
DRY Of Plus TX
DECLARATION ANNIVERSARY
Georgetown College to Be Scene Of
Brilliant Serviees-Reunion Of
Old Graduates.


Old Graduates.
Members of the Catholic churches
throughout the civilized world will unite
Thursday i'm celebrating the hftieth an.
niversary of the declaration by Pope
Plus N. that the mother OF Christ cam,
into this world free from the stain OF
original sin.
Here in Washington elaborate cere
monies Will be held in various churches
The most interesting and complete. cele
braJion Of the event VIII be, however
AT Georgetown College in the Dahlgren
Chapel
Long before Pope Plus announced the
dogma which is being celebrated. ther,
existed in Georgetown sodality of the
Blessed Virgin, known as the SodalitS
OF the Immaculate Conception, based on
similar organizations in the Roman
Catholic colleges of Europe
This society which has fiourished fOl
over a century. has undertaken 10 cele
brate the jubilee with a reunion of its
old members. from North, South, East
and West. and arrangements are now
completed 20 that end. so that hundreds
OF former students at Georgetown, some
OF whom have not seen one another for
quarter OF a century or longer-law-
yers, doctors, judges. business men.
clergymen and men from all walks in
hfe-WilI assemble TO do honor 10 their
faith. their society. ana their alma
mater.
The Festivities.
Many prominent church dignitaries
have agreed TO be present. Cardinal
Gibbons. the Apostolic Delegate 10 the
United States. and his household. the
Apostolic Delegate TO the Philippines.
several bishops and mOnseignuri and
many clergymen who were formerly
members of the society.
The festivities will begin ON the even
Ing OF Wednesday, December z. with a
reception of candidates for membership
10 the Sodalty az Dahlgren Chapel. al
s ,. m. The college male choir viii rem
der Gregorian music with solos by Mr..
Battle. tenor, and Mr.. WinnetJ. baritone.
one OF the reverend professors Of
Georgetown said yesterday ia speaking
OF the celebration:
"lt is only fitting that the first col
eye sodality organized in ms country
and bearing the name of the Immacu-
late Conception. should celebrate the
golden jubilee OF the FORMULATION OF
that doctrine
The belief I'm the imma, uiate concep-
ton OF the Blessed Virgin was long held
by churchmen; but on December s. 1854
Pope Plus IN promulgated the DECLARE
u"n which made this belief an article
OF faith. We We're shown that while an
men are born with the stain OF Original
sin, the Mother Of God was The exc-p-
ton to the rule
Purpose Of Pope.
This does not mean that line pom,
changed the opinion of schools as re-
CARDS a dogma OF faith. hut rather
maintained against certain opinions tina
which was revealed in Christ tbrouql
His Apostles. The doctrine. therefore
has nothing 10 do with the concrDtior
OF Christ and relates only 10 the concep
ton of Mary herself.
sodalilies devoted to the Blessed Vfr
sin have existed in colleges conducte,
hy the Jesuit order for over 900 wears
IheV began as a private devotion al
college I'm Sicily in tie sixteenth cen
fury; spread later 10 other institutions
and finally became a distinct work d
Jesuit schools and colleges.
Before long "a central house was Is
tabll~ned lu Rome. and the various or
carnations We're amagamated unde
orc Fuif-that of the Prima PrimarIa
which exists 10 the present day. Jus
now long the Georgetown s0dailty is n
existence We cannot definitely saw ON
records date back To lSlz. but il IS like,
that an organization existed even befor,
thar date"
The program for December 8 viii be
Eih With solemn high mass al Dahl
srrn chanel and will end with a Pc
union at CASTOR Hall In she everiul
the entire front Of the HeaN BUILDING
VIII De- brilliant with special ,lectrica
illuminations. which viii show off q,
good advantage the elaborate decora
lions on thaJ stately structure
a feature OF the celebration viii h.
the ouenins and dedication bv IA,
Apostolic Delegate of the New SCutl
Building recently erected az "a cost o.
tlCGm
Washington's Visit.
IiiT Hnr stTtctHr- occupies the uIac,
in the quadraLsle formerly occupied b,
ihe original eoiieFc building. which wa.
erected by -izhop Carroll the grea
churchman OF Colonial days. in 1854 Tn,
famous old building which made wa,
Tor the new or structure. was con
structrl oI bricks brought from
England. Within its walls. VIII
liam CASTOR. afterwards judge OF IA,
supreme eourt OF North Carolina. th,
first student of the college. was edu
acted. Here President Washington wa.
entertained when he paid his memorabl,
visit 20 the college. and here youna
Robert Welsh editor. scholar. and dip
lomag read poem. which doubles.
was very fine and very long. celebrating
the visit 10 Georgetown Of lhe Father
az his Country
The new structure is much larger thar
the original, and commands "a fue View
o. the Potomac valley 10 has ii dIniul
hall on the main floor. kitchen in ths
basement. and the three remaining floor.
are laid out in rooms ia suites OF four
with bath and other convenience.