 |
| Blessed Pius IX (1846-1878) |
Cardinal Mastai-Ferretti was born in May 1792 in the Archdiocese of Spoleto. He was ordained a priest in 1819. Pope Leo XII appointed Father Mastai-Ferretti Archbishop of Spoleto, his hometown, in 1827 at the age of 35. He was named to the Sacred College in 1839.
Pius IX was the first Pope to be photographed and for this reason we include in this post some of these rare photographs even though they are not liturgical.
Click on the images for an enlarged view.
Click on the images for an enlarged view.
Figure 2 (above)
This astonishing photograph from 1863 shows Pius IX greeting the Faithful from a balcony during a visit to Frosinone (south-east of Rome). A canopy made from fabric has been constructed, beneath which the Pope can be clearly seen with his arms outstretched.
Figure 3 (above)
An early engraving of Pius IX shewing him wearing the Mantum or cope.
His coat of arms is visible in the lower righthand corner of the cope.
Figure 4 (above)
Pius IX surrounded by prelates of the Papal Household
in the early 1870's.
The Secretary of State, Cardinal Antonelli, is marked with an arrow.
Antonelli was never a priest, one of the last who held the rank of a lay-cardinal
subsequently abolished by Benedict XV.
Figure 5 (above)
This image of Blessed Pius IX vested for Low Mass is partly photograph,
partly drawing: a practice common in the 19th century. Nevertheless
it quite accurately depicts the Pope and his vestments.
Three preferences of Pius IX, in terms of his liturgical style, were : an extremely shortened rochet - more like a cotta in dimensions; his mitres, not much taller than 12 inches or 30 centimetres and lastly a slightly-shortened albe, so that his cassock was visible below its lower edge.
Figure 6 (above)
In 1869, Pius IX convoked the Vatican Ecumenical Council, which was attended by bishops from all over the world. This marvellous engraving gives a very accurate idea of the appearance of one of the transepts of Saint Peter's Basilica where the proceedings were held. The large number of Council Fathers present and the galleries built for observers are shewn. When the Vatican States fell to Italian armies in 1870, however, the Council's proceedings were adjourned without conclusion.
It is likely that photographs were taken at the Council, but I have never seen any.
Next post: Pope Leo XIII.
AMDG
Figure 7 (above)
An engraving of the Consistory of March 1868, shewing Pius IX
conferring the Red Hat on Father Lucien Louis Joseph Napoleon Bonaparte.
Yes, the great-nephew of the Emperor Napoleon! But Cardinal Bonaparte
lived the rest of his days in the Vatican, a faithful servant of the Holy See.
Figure 8 (above)
The Coat of Arms of Blessed Pius IX.
Pius IX had the longest reign of any Pope in history. He died on 7th February, 1878, aged 85. Originally buried in Saint Peter's, his remains were moved to the Church of Saint Lawrence-outside-the-walls in 1881, in accordance with his own wishes. They were returned to the Vatican Basilica in the Jubilee Year of 2000, when Pius IX was beatified by Pope John Paul II.
Figure 9 (above)
The mortal remains of Pius IX lying-in-state, February 1878.
The Pope is vested in Pontifical vestments, including the fanon and pallium.
The short mitre was a preference of Pius IX.
Next post: Pope Leo XIII.
AMDG
