5-December-2004 -- Vatican Information Service
CONCEPTIONVATICAN CITY, DEC 5, 2004 (VIS) - Pope John Paul
dedicated today's Angelus reflections entirely to the upcoming feast
of the Immaculate Conception, as this year marks the 150th anniversary
of the proclamation of this dogma by Pope Pius IX.
"We prepare to celebrate with intimate joy," he said,
"the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed
Virgin Mary which this year takes on special meaning. We will commemorate,
in fact, the 150 years since the proclamation of this important
Marian doctrine.
"We will remember this anniversary on December 8 with a solemn
Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Basilica where, in 1854 my
venerated predecessor, Blessed Pius IX, proclaimed the dogma of
the Immaculate Conception, together with many bishops from every
part of the world. Thus we will honor 'Tota pulchra', she whom God
chose as the Mother of His only begotten Son."
The Holy Father closed by reminding everyone that in the afternoon,
as he does every year, he will go to Rome's famed Piazza di Spagna
for the traditional homage to Mary Immaculate. "I invite all
of you, dear Romans and pilgrims, to join me in this act of filial
veneration to our heavenly Mother."
