DECREE OPENING THE COUNCIL - December 8th, 1869

Pius, bishop, servant of the servants of God, with the approval of the sacred council, for an everlasting record. Most reverend fathers, is it your pleasure that, to the praise and glory of the holy and undivided Trinity, Father, Son and holy Spirit, for the increase and exaltation of the catholic faith and religion, for the uprooting of current errors, for the reformation of the clergy and the christian people, and for the common peace and concord of all, the holy ecumenical Vatican council should be opened, and be declared to have been opened?

...the reply, "Yes".

Pius, bishop, servant of the servants of God, with the approval of the sacred council, for an everlasting record. Most reverend fathers, is it your pleasure that the next session of the holy ecumenical Vatican council should be held on the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, that is 6 January 1870?

...the reply, "Yes".