THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUVAIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 12, 11 July 1884, Page 29

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUVAIN.

(From the Dublin Freeman.) The Catholic University of Louvain has celebrated its Golden Jubilee — the fiftieth anniversary of its re&tabliahinent. Founded in 1834 by the Belgian Episcopate, in virtue of the liberty of education guaranteed alter the revolution of 1830, which brought to an end the hated Nassau dynasty, its seat was first fixed at Malines. When the Government college at Louvain, one of the three State establishments then existing, wa9 suppressed, the Burgomaster and Council of that city petitioned the Bishops to restore to them the University. The Catholic University was then transferred to Louvain, and obtained possession of the " halles " and some of the colleges belonging to the old University. Since its installation there it has been extending itself year by year, and now it possesses buildings and a " plant ' equal, at least for practical purposes, to any similar institution. The jubilee festivities were worthy of the occasion, and served as a demonstration in favour of religious education. A central council of organization, at the head of which is Senator Willems, had charge of the celebration arrangements. Among the members of the provincial councils formed to organise the country appear the names of Prince de Ligne, Count Albert de Beaufort, Barons Bethune (2), several senators, former ministers and provincial governors, , and many members of the Chamber of Representatives. The programme was large, and embraced religious solemnities, Jetes academic and musical, a magnificent procession, reproducing, in tableaux (17), the principal eventß connected with the mediaeval history of the University, as well as representing its present establishments, and a grand banquet. At seven o'clock on Sunday evening the carrillons (2) and the church bells of the city were rang in the vielle of the festival. Monday, at 10 a.m., the organization committee and various societies of the University received the Archbishop of Malines, Primate of Belgium, and the others members of the Episcopate, at the College da St. Esprit, after which reception a dejeuner was given by the organising council. At 12 o'clock the Primate, Bishops, University authorities and students repaired to the Collegiate Cnurcn of St. Peter to sing a solemn Te JOeum. The academic part of the festivities opened at one o'clock in the great auditorium, of the College dv Pape by the reading of the Pontifical Brief for the foundation of the University. The Sector Magnifieus pronounced a discourse, addresses were read, and the Primate delivered an allocution. The Rector then proceeded to promote to the doctorate honoris causa some distinguished foreigners. At 2.30 p.m., the first march of the grand cortege took place. A banquet was given by the professional staff to the authorities of the University. In the evening a musical/etc organised by the students ' Choral Union, closed the events of the first day. Tuesday's festivities began with a Pontifical High Mass, celebrated by the Axchbishep in St. Peter's Church. In the great hall of the-Collegeof -the Holy Trinity, at eleven o'clock, a grand musical festival, arranged by the Flemish Society, " Met Tud en Vlut," came off. In the afternoon the historic procession made its second sortie. The " grand banquet universitaire," at which the Episcopate, University authorities, etc., were present, was held at 4.30 p.m., in the great academic hall of the Brothers of Cbarity attached to their monastery (the old Irish Franciscan Convent) of St. Anthony. At 8.30 p.m., in the pare St. Donat, a Feu d'artifice, reproducing the siege of Louvain, 1542, was presented. The illumination of the town followed, and a retreat aux Flambeaux terminated the proceedings for that day. The intervening time, up to Sunday, 18th. was occupied with minor festivities, chiefly, of the students and inhabitants, and on that day the procession made its final tour of the town.