VATICAN - At the Sunday Angelus prayer the Pope invites Romans and visitors to join him in paying honour to immaculate Mary, 150 years since the definition of this “important Marian Dogma”

Vatican City (Fides Service) - “We are preparing to celebrate with intimate joy the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Immaculate Conception, which assumes special significance this year when we commemorate the 150th anniversary of the definition of this important Marian Dogma” the Pope said at the Sunday Angelus prayer on Sunday 5 December and he invited Romans and visitors to take part in celebrations on December 8 when the Church celebrates the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.
As the Pope said, in the morning he will preside Mass in St Peter’s where in unity with the bishops of the world Blessed Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. “We will render homage to the Tota pulchra, the one whom God chose to be the Mother of his only Son” the Pope said from his study window at midday addressing the crowds gathered in the square for his blessing. In keeping with tradition, in the afternoon the Pope will go to Piazza di Spagna to place flowers at the foot of the famous statue of Immaculate Mary. “I invite all of you Romans and visitor to join me in this act of filial veneration of our heavenly Mother” he said before reciting the Angelus prayer. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 6/12/2004 - Righe 16; Parole 208)