United States 11 44 } Guatemala 4 3 } Brazil 11 9 } Internal Sodalities 54 Peru 9 6 } External and Mixed 81 La Plata 1 6 } Chili 3 1 } Cuba 5 4 } Mexico 9 7 } Ecuador 1 1 } _Oceanica._ Philippine Isles 1 6 } Internal Sodalities 1 } External and Mixed 6 --- --- ---- Total 450 721 Total 1,171 _III.--Definition of the Immaculate Conception._ We have observed several times in the course of this work, that the principal end of the apparition of 1830, was to popularize belief in the Immaculate Conception. The facts we have related, prove most conclusively that, thanks to the Miraculous Medal, this object has been fully attained. As a preparation for the accomplishment of this great design, Providence placed in St. Peter's chair, a Pontiff animated with the most filial tenderness for Mary, and inspired him from the beginning of his pontificate, with the desire of glorifying the most holy Mother of God, by proclaiming the Immaculate Conception an article of Faith. And this hope, this desire, had Pius IX, in the ninth year of his reign, the happiness of realizing amidst the universal applause of the Catholic world. We quote below from M. Villefranche's beautiful History of Pius IX, the account of this memorable event: "By an Encyclical dated from Gaëta, Pius IX had interrogated the Episcopacy of the Universal Church, on the subject of the belief in the Immaculate Conception. The answers received were six hundred and three in number. Five hundred and forty-six Bishops earnestly entreated the doctrinal definition, a few hesitated, though only as to whether it were an opportune moment or not for the decision, for the sentiment of the Catholic world was in unison as regards the belief itself.