Ubi Primum

by Pope Pius IX

Encyclical of Pope Blessed Pius IX adressed to the bishops of the Catholic Church asking them for opinion on the definition of a dogma on the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.

5 pages, ebook

First published June 17, 1847

About the author

Blessed Pope Pius IX, born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, reigned as Pope from 16 June 1846 to his death in 1878. He was the longest-reigning elected pope in the history of the Catholic Church – over 31 years. During his pontificate, he convened the First Vatican Council (1869–70), which decreed papal infallibility, but the council was cut short due to the loss of the Papal States.

Pius IX defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, meaning that Mary was conceived without original sin. Pius IX also conferred the title Our Mother of Perpetual Help on a famous Byzantine icon from Crete entrusted to the Redemptorists.

He was also the last pope to rule as the Sovereign of the Papal States, which fell completely to the Italian army in 1870 and were incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy. After this, he was referred to – chiefly by himself – as the "Prisoner of the Vatican".

After his death in 1878, his canonization process was opened on 11 February 1907 by Pope Pius X and it drew considerable controversy over the years. It was closed on several occasions during the pontificates of Pope Benedict XV and Pope Pius XI. On 7 December 1954, Pope Pius XII re-opened the cause and Pope John Paul II proclaimed him Venerable on 6 July 1985. Together with Pope John XXIII he was beatified on 3 September 2000 after the recognition of a miracle and was assigned the liturgical feast day of February 7 which is the date of his death.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

My ChatGpt review:

"Ubi Primum" is an encyclical issued by Pope Leo XII on May 5, 1824, marking the beginning of his papacy.

Summary:

Expression of Humility: Pope Leo XII reflects on the immense responsibility of the papal office, expressing humility and reliance on divine assistance.

Emphasis on Episcopal Collaboration: He underscores the importance of unity and cooperation between the Pope and bishops to effectively shepherd the faithful.

Condemnation of Indifferentism: The encyclical warns against religious indifferentism, reaffirming the doctrine that salvation is found solely within the Catholic Church.


Impactful Quotes:

1. "We are pressed and almost overwhelmed by the great weight of our pastoral office, in which we must safeguard the Lord’s flock with constant vigilance and untiring labor."


2. "The principal charge entrusted to us consists in defending the integrity of the faith and in preserving the discipline of the universal Church."



Mnemonic for Recall:

Think of "Ubi Primum" as the "Three H's":

Humility in accepting the papal role

Harmony between the Pope and bishops

Heresy of indifferentism condemned


This encapsulates the encyclical's core messages of humility, unity, and doctrinal clarity.

[OSCAR · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yo pensé que leería aquí la proclamación del dogma aclamado por el pueblo católico romano de la Inmaculada Concepción de María. En cambio, tengo aquí un llamado por parte del Papa Pío Nono para estudiar la cuestión de la posible proclamación de esta enseñanza al rango de dogma. Por petición de varios prelados y de la feligresía, Mastai Ferretti declaró que vislumbraba dar tamaño paso, no sin antes solicitar el consejo de clérigos y teólogos esclarecidos.

Este documento es relevante en tanto permite estudiar el trayecto que recorrió durante el pontificado de este polémico Papa el análisis y posterior proclamación de la Inmaculada Concepción de María como dogma de fe.