The origin of the traditional novena honoring the Immaculate Virgin dates back to Pope Sixtus IV (1471-1484), a member of the Della Rovere family. On February 27, 1476, he issued the apostolic constitution Cum Praeexcelsa, establishing the devotional feast of the Immaculate Conception, with its own Mass and Office, to be celebrated by the universal Church on December 8. Moreover, he granted the same indulgences for it that he granted for the Feast of Corpus Christi.
Once again, this year, as per tradition at our beloved and beautiful Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles, we solemnly celebrated the novena honoring the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patroness of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual.
From November 29 to December 7, starting at 5:45 p.m., the celebration began with the recitation of the Rosary and the chanting of the Litany. Mass followed at 6:30 p.m., presided over by a cardinal. At the end of each Mass, the Cappella Musicale Costantiniana Choir, directed by Capellmeister Friar Robert CALLEJA, sang the “Tota Pulchra,” a hymn composed by the Conventual Franciscan Friar Alessandro BORRONI (1820-1896).
Each Mass during the novena was presided over by a different eminent cardinal. The presiders were Cardinals DE AVIZ; STELLA; TOLENTINO DE MENDONÇA; LADARIA FERRER; GAMBETTI; GUGEROTTI; ROCHE; DE DONATIS; and RAVASI.
On December 8, the novena concluded with Mass presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Battista RE, Dean of the College of Cardinals. Also present were several ambassadors accredited to the Holy See. The flags of their various nations were placed around a statue of St. Francis of Assisi to demonstrate the commitment each country had made to foster harmony between nations. After the Mass, a fraternal agape meal was served in the nearby Immaculate Conception Hall.
On the afternoon of December 1, in the midst of the novena, a presentation was given on the basilica’s early Christian altar. In addition, the archaeological area inside the friary’s cloister was inaugurated. On the afternoon of December 5, the third volume of the Writings of Kolbe (Edizioni Messaggero Sant’Antonio di Padova Publishing) was presented in the Immaculate Conception Hall. The book was edited by Friars Raffaele DI MURO; Emil KUMKA; Tomasz SZYMCZAK; Roman WADACH; and Cristoforo ZAMBELLI. The volume closes the trilogy and gives the public something new from the world of Kolbe’s writings: the lectures he gave throughout his apostolic journey and the testimony collected during his process of beatification and canonization. On December 6, an evening concert of sacred music took place in the basilica, entitled “Chorus Novus,” with maestro Roberto MURRA conducting.
Friars from the General Houses in Rome also participated during the celebrations. Clerical students from the Seraphicum College provided liturgical service at the Masses. They were directed by the Master of Ceremonies, Friar Raimundo Valdo NOGUEIRA.
On December 8, Friar Francesco CELESTINO, the Guardian of the Friary of the Twelve Holy Apostles and Pastor of the basilica, together with a number of friars and clerics, went forth, as they do every year, to Piazza di Spagna in Rome to welcome the many faithful gathered to pay homage to the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary that stands atop the 12-meter [39 foot] tall Column of the Immaculate Conception. This monument was inaugurated on December 8, 1857, three years after the proclamation of the dogma. Pope Francis visited the site that afternoon, laying his floral tribute at the base of the column, reciting the prayer to Mary Immaculate, and invoking the gift of peace through her intercession.
Friar Mimmo CASTIGLIONE
