The American Catholic History Research Center and University Archives will be hosting a lecture, digital collection demonstration, and reception on the 140th anniversary of the First Vatican Council on December 9th, 4-6 pm, Aquinas Hall 102 (auditorium).

Vatican Council I, convoked by Pope Pius IX (1792-1878), began on December 8, 1869 and ended on September 1, 1870. Approximately 1,050 religious men were eligible to participate, though 700 attended the first session on December 8, 1869. The participants were primarily European, though the United States was represented by 48 archbishops and bishops, and one abbot. A total of 800 cardinals, patriarchs, archbishops, bishops, abbots, and religious superior generals participated in the sessions over the nine months.

The event coincides with the digitization of the the First Vatican Council Photograph Album, which is held here at the Archives. It was most likely created sometime during the council sessions, from 1869-1870. The album is leather-bound, and contains 30 pages of carte de visite albumen prints. It features prints of Pope Pius IX, and 730 cardinals, patriarchs, primates, archbishops, bishops, and abbots who attended the Vatican Council I from 1869-1870.

Dr. Gerald P. Fogarty, S.J., the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Religious Studies and History at the University of Virginia, will deliver a lecture on the significance of the First Vatican Council in Catholic History.

The lecture will be followed by a demonstration of the newly digitized First Vatican Council photo album by Archives Audiovisual archivist Robin Pike. Refreshments will be available after the event. The event is free and open to the public. Please call 202-319-5065 with any questions.