LITTERÆ APOSTOLICÆ APOSTOLIC LETTER DATÆ BENEDICTUS XVI OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF BENEDICT XVI SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM GIVEN MOTU PROPRIO

De usu extraordinario On the extraordinary use antiquæ formae Ritus Romani of the ancient form of the

SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM cura ad It has been the constant concern of the hoc tempus usque semper fuit, ut Christi Supreme Pontiffs up to the present to Ecclesia Divinæ Maiestati cultum ensure that the Church of Christ offers a dignum offerret, «ad laudem et gloriam worthy worship to the Divine Majesty, 'to nominis Sui» et «ad utilitatem totius the praise and glory of His name,' and 'to Ecclesiæ Suæ sanctæ». the benefit of all His Holy Church.'

Ab immemorabili tempore sicut etiam in Since time immemorial it has been futurum, principium servandum est necessary - as it is also for the future - to «iuxta quod unaquæque Ecclesia maintain the principle according to which particularis concordare debet cum 'each particular Church concur with universali Ecclesia non solum quoad the universal Church, not only as regards fidei doctrinam et signa sacramentalia, the doctrine of the faith and the sed etiam quoad usus universaliter sacramental signs, but also as regards the acceptos ab apostolica et continua usages universally accepted by traditione, qui servandi sunt non solum uninterrupted apostolic tradition, which ut errores vitentur, verum etiam ad fidei must be observed not only to avoid errors integritatem tradendam, quia Ecclesiæ but also to transmit the integrity of the lex orandi eius legi credendi faith, because the Church's law of respondet» 1. corresponds to her law of faith.' 1

Inter Pontifices qui talem debitam curam Among the pontiffs who showed that adhibuerunt, nomen excellit sancti requisite concern, particularly outstanding Gregorii Magni, qui tam fidem is the name of St. Gregory the Great, who catholicam quam thesauros cultus ac made every effort to ensure that the new culturæ a Romanis in sæculis peoples of Europe received both the præcedentibus cumulatos novis Europæ Catholic faith and the treasures of worship populis transmittendos curavit. Sacræ and culture that had been accumulated by Liturgiæ tam Missæ Sacrificii quam the Romans in preceding centuries. He Officii Divini formam, uti in Urbe commanded that the form of the sacred celebrabatur, definiri conservarique liturgy as celebrated in Rome (concerning iussit. Monachos quoque et moniales both the Sacrifice of and the Divine maxime fovit, qui sub Regula sancti Office) be conserved. He took great Benedicti militantes, ubique simul cum concern to ensure the dissemination of Evangelii annuntiatione illam quoque monks and nuns who, following the Rule saluberrimam Regulæ sententiam vita of St. Benedict, together with the sua illustrarunt, «ut operi Dei nihil announcement of the illustrated præponatur» (cap. 43). Tali modo sacra with their lives the wise provision of their

1 Institutio generalis Missalis Romani, Editio tertia, 2002, 397. liturgia secundum morem Romanum non Rule that 'nothing should be placed before solum fidem et pietatem sed et culturam the work of God.' In this way the sacred multarum gentium fecundavit. Constat liturgy, celebrated according to the Roman utique liturgiam latinam variis suis use, enriched not only the faith and piety formis Ecclesiæ in omnibus ætatis but also the culture of many peoples. It is christianæ sæculis permultos Sanctos in known, in fact, that the liturgy of the vita spirituali stimulasse atque tot Church in its various forms, in each populos in religionis virtute roborasse ac century of the Christian era, has been a eorundem pietatem fecundasse. spur to the spiritual life of many , has reinforced many peoples in the virtue of religion and fecundated their piety.

Ut autem Sacra Liturgia hoc munus Many other Roman pontiffs, in the course efficacius expleret, plures alii Romani of the centuries, showed particular Pontifices decursu sæculorum solicitude in ensuring that the sacred peculiarem sollicitudinem impenderunt, liturgy accomplished this task more inter quos eminet Pius V, qui effectively. Outstanding among them is magno cum studio pastorali, Concilio Pius V who, sustained by great Tridentino exhortante, totum Ecclesiæ pastoral zeal and following the cultum innovavit, librorum liturgicorum exhortations of the , emendatorum et «ad normam Patrum renewed the entire liturgy of the Church, instauratorum» editionem curavit eosque oversaw the publication of liturgical books Ecclesiæ latinæ usui dedit amended and 'renewed in accordance with the norms of the Fathers,' and provided them for the use of the .

Inter Ritus romani libros liturgicos patet One of the liturgical books of the Roman eminere Missale Romanum, quod in rite is the Roman , which developed romana urbe succrevit, atque in the city of Rome and, with the passing succedentibus sæculis gradatim formas of the centuries, little by little took forms assumpsit, quæ cum illa in very similar to that it has had in recent generationibus recentioribus vigente times. magnam habent similitudinem.

«Quod idem omnino propositum 'It was towards this same goal that tempore progrediente Pontifices Romani succeeding Roman Pontiffs directed their sunt persecuti, cum novas ad ætates energies during the subsequent centuries in accommodaverunt aut ritus librosque order to ensure that the rites and liturgical liturgicos determinaverunt, ac deinde books were brought up to date and, when cum ineunte hoc nostro sæculo necessary, clarified. From the beginning of ampliorem iam complexi sunt this century they undertook a more general redintegrationem» 2. Sic vero egerunt reform' 2. Thus acted also our predecessors Decessores nostri Clemens VIII, Clement VIII, Urban VIII, Saint Pius X 3, Urbanus VIII, sanctus Pius X 3, Benedict XV, Pius XII and Blessed John Benedictus XV, Pius XII et beatus XXIII. Ioannes XXIII.

2 Ioannes Paulus Pp. II, Litt. ap. Vicesimus quintus annus (4 Decembris 1988), 3 : AAS 81 (1989), 899. 3 Ibid. Recentioribus autem temporibus, In more recent times, Vatican Council II Concilium Vaticanum II desiderium expressed a desire that the respectful expressit, ut debita observantia et reverence due to divine worship should be reverentia erga cultum divinum denuo renewed and adapted to the needs of our instauraretur ac necessitatibus nostræ time. Moved by this desire our ætatis aptaretur. Quo desiderio motus, predecessor, the Supreme Pontiff Paul VI, Decessor noster Summus Pontifex approved, in 1970, reformed and partly Paulus VI libros liturgicos instauratos et renewed liturgical books for the Latin partim innovatos anno 1970 Ecclesiæ Church. These, translated into the various latinæ approbavit ; qui ubique terrarum languages of the world, were willingly permultas in linguas vulgares conversi, accepted by bishops, priests and faithful. ab Episcopis atque a sacerdotibus et John Paul II amended the third typical fidelibus libenter recepti sunt. Ioannes edition of the . Thus Roman Paulus II, tertiam editionem typicam pontiffs have operated to ensure that 'this Missalis Romani recognovit. Sic Romani kind of liturgical edifice ... should again Pontifices operati sunt ut «hoc quasi appear resplendent for its dignity and ædificium liturgicum […] rursus, harmony' 4. dignitate splendidum et concinnitate» appareret 4.

Aliquibus autem in regionibus haud But in some regions, no small numbers of pauci fideles antecedentibus formis faithful adhered and continue to adhere liturgicis, quæ eorum culturam et with great love and affection to the earlier spiritum tam profunde imbuerant, tanto liturgical forms. These had so deeply amore et affectu adhæserunt et adhærere marked their culture and their spirit that in pergunt, ut Summus Pontifex Ioannes 1984 the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II, Paulus II, horum fidelium pastorali cura moved by a concern for the pastoral care motus, anno 1984 speciali Indulto of these faithful, with the special indult “”, a “Quattuor abhinc annos” issued by the Congregatione pro Cultu Divino exarato, Congregation for Divine Worship, granted facultatem concessit utendi Missali permission to use the Roman Missal Romano a Ioanne XXIII anno 1962 published by Blessed John XXIII in the edito; anno autem 1988 Ioannes Paulus year 1962. Later, in the year 1988, John II iterum, litteris Apostolicis “Ecclesia Paul II with the Apostolic Letter given Dei” Motu proprio datis, Episcopos Motu Proprio “Ecclesia Dei”, exhorted exhortatus est ut talem facultatem late et bishops to make generous use of this generose in favorem omnium fidelium id power in favor of all the faithful who so petentium adhiberent. desired.

Instantibus precibus horum fidelium iam Our predecessor John Paul II having a Prædecessore Nostro Ioanne Paulo II already considered the insistent petitions diu perpensis, auditis etiam a Nobis of these faithful, having listened to the Patribus Cardinalibus in Concistorio die views of the Cardinal Fathers of the XXIII mensis martii anni 2006 habito, Consistory of 22 March 2006, having omnibus mature perpensis, invocato reflected deeply upon all aspects of the Spiritu Sancto et Dei freti auxilio, question, invoked the Holy Spirit and præsentibus Litteris Apostolicis trusting in the help of God, with this

4 Pius Pp. X, Litt. Ap. Motu proprio datæ Abhinc duos annos (23 Octobris 1913) : AAS 5 (1913), 449-450 ; cfr Ioannes Paulus II, Litt. ap. Vicesimus quintus annus (4 Decembris 1988), 3 : AAS 81 (1989), 899. DECERNIMUS quæ sequuntur: Apostolic Letter We DECREE the following:

Art. 1. Art. 1

Missale Romanum a Paulo VI The Roman Missal promulgated by Paul promulgatum ordinaria expressio “Legis VI is the expression of the Lex orandi” Ecclesiæ catholicæ ritus latini orandi [Law of prayer] of the Catholic est. Missale autem Romanum a S. Pio V Church of the Latin rite. Nonetheless, the promulgatum et a B. Ioanne XXIII Roman Missal promulgated by St. Pius V denuo editum habeatur uti extraordinaria and reissued by Bl. John XXIII is to be expressio eiusdem “Legis orandi” considered as an extraordinary expression Ecclesiæ et ob venerabilem et antiquum of that same Lex orandi , and must be given eius usum debito gaudeat honore. Hæ due honour for its venerable and ancient duæ expressiones “legis orandi” usage. These two expressions of the Ecclesiæ, minime vero inducent in Church’s Lex orandi will in no any way divisionem “legis credendi” Ecclesiæ; lead to a division in the Church’s Lex sunt enim duo usus unici ritus romani. credendi [Law of belief]. They are, in fact two uses of the one Roman rite.

Proinde Missæ Sacrificium, iuxta It is, therefore, permissible to celebrate the editionem typicam Missalis Romani a B. Sacrifice of the Mass following the typical Ioanne XXIII anno 1962 promulgatam et edition of the Roman Missal promulgated numquam abrogatam, uti formam by Bl. John XXIII in 1962 and never extraordinariam Liturgiæ Ecclesiæ, abrogated, as an extraordinary form of the celebrare licet. Condiciones vero a Liturgy of the Church. The conditions for documentis antecedentibus “Quattuor the use of this Missal as laid down by abhinc annos” et “Ecclesia Dei” pro usu earlier documents “Quattuor abhinc annos” huius Missalis statutæ, substituuntur ut and “Ecclesia Dei”, are substituted as sequitur: follows:

Art. 2. Art. 2

In Missis sine populo celebratis, quilibet In Masses celebrated without the people, sacerdos catholicus ritus latini, sive each Catholic priest of the Latin rite, sæcularis sive religiosus, uti potest aut whether secular or regular, may use the Missali Romano a beato Papa Ioanne Roman Missal published by Bl. Pope John XXIII anno 1962 edito, aut Missali XXIII in 1962, or the Roman Missal Romano a Summo Pontifice Paulo VI promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1970, and anno 1970 promulgato, et quidem may do so on any day with the exception qualibet die, excepto Triduo Sacro. Ad of the Easter Triduum. For such talem celebrationem secundum unum celebrations, with either one Missal or the alterumve Missale, sacerdos nulla eget other, the priest has no need for permission licentia, nec Sedis Apostolicæ nec from the Apostolic See or from his Ordinarii sui. Ordinary.

Art. 3. Art. 3

Si communitates Institutorum vitæ Communities of Institutes of consecrated consecratæ atque Societatum vitæ life and of Societies of apostolic life, of apostolicæ iuris sive pontificii sive either pontifical or diocesan right, wishing diœcesani quæ in celebratione to celebrate Mass in accordance with the conventuali seu “communitatis” in edition of the Roman Missal promulgated oratoriis propriis celebrationem sanctæ in 1962, for conventual or “community” Missæ iuxta editionem Missalis Romani celebration in their oratories, may do so. If anno 1962 promulgatam habere cupiunt, an individual community or an entire id eis licet. Si singula communitas aut Institute or Society wishes to undertake totum Institutum vel Societas tales such celebrations often, habitually or celebrationes sæpe vel habitualiter vel permanently, the decision must be taken permanenter perficere vult, res a by the Superiors Major, in accordance with Superioribus maioribus ad normam iuris the law and following their own specific et secundum leges et statuta particularia decrees and statutes. decernatur.

Art. 4. Art. 4

Ad celebrationes sanctæ Missæ de Celebrations of Mass as mentioned above quibus supra in art. 2 admitti possunt, in art. 2 may – observing all the norms of servatis de iure servandis, etiam law – also be attended by faithful who, of christifideles qui sua sponte id petunt. their own free will, ask to be admitted.

Art. 5 Art. 5

§ 1. In parœciis, ubi cœtus fidelium § 1 In parishes, where there is a group of traditioni liturgicæ antecedenti faithful who stably adhere to the earlier adhærentium stabiliter exsistit, parochus liturgical tradition, the pastor should eorum petitiones ad celebrandam willingly accept their requests to celebrate sanctam Missam iuxta ritum Missalis the Mass according to the rite of the Romani anno 1962 editi, libenter Roman Missal published in 1962, and suscipiat. Ipse videat ut harmonice ensure that the welfare of these faithful concordetur bonum horum fidelium cum harmonises with the ordinary pastoral care ordinaria parœciæ pastorali cura, sub of the parish, under the guidance of the Episcopi regimine ad normam canonis bishop in accordance with canon 392, 392, discordiam vitando et totius avoiding discord and favouring the unity Ecclesiæ unitatem fovendo. of the whole Church.

§ 2. Celebratio secundum Missale B. § 2 Celebration according to the Missal of Ioannis XXIII locum habere potest Bl. John XXIII may take place on working diebus ferialibus; dominicis autem et days; while on Sundays and feast days one festis una etiam celebratio huiusmodi such celebration may also be held. fieri potest. § 3. Fidelibus seu sacerdotibus id § 3 For faithful and priests who request it, petentibus, parochus celebrationes, hac the pastor should also allow celebrations in in forma extraordinaria, permittat etiam this extraordinary form for special in adiunctis peculiaribus, uti sunt circumstances such as marriages, funerals matrimonia, exsequiæ aut celebrationes or occasional celebrations, e.g. occasionales, verbi gratia pilgrimages. peregrinationes. § 4. Sacerdotes Missali B. Ioannis XXIII § 4 Priests who use the Missal of Bl. John utentes, idonei esse debent ac iure non XXIII must be idoneous and not juridically impediti. impeded.

§ 5. In ecclesiis, quæ non sunt nec § 5 In churches that are not parish or parœciales nec conventuales, Rectoris conventual churches, it is the duty of the ecclesiæ est concedere licentiam de qua Rector of the church to grant the above supra. permission.

Art. 6. Art. 6

In Missis iuxta Missale B. Ioannis XXIII In Masses celebrated in the presence of the celebratis cum populo, Lectiones people in accordance with the Missal of proclamari possunt etiam lingua Bl. John XXIII, the readings may be given vernacula, utendo editionibus ab in the , using editions Apostolica Sede recognitis. recognised by the Apostolic See.

Art. 7. Art. 7

Ubi aliquis cœtus fidelium laicorum, de If a group of lay faithful, as mentioned in quo in art. 5 § 1 petita a parocho non art. 5 § 1, has not obtained satisfaction to obtinuerit, de re certiorem faciat their requests from the pastor, they should Episcopum diœcesanum. Episcopus inform the diocesan bishop. The bishop is enixe rogatur ut eorum optatum strongly requested to satisfy their wishes. exaudiat. Si ille ad huiusmodi If he does not want to arrange for such celebrationem providere non vult res ad celebration to take place, the matter should Pontificiam Commissionem “Ecclesia be referred to the Pontifical Commission Dei” referatur. “Ecclesia Dei”.

Art. 8. Art. 8

Episcopus, qui vult providere huiusmodi A bishop who, desirous of satisfying such petitionibus christifidelium laicorum, sed requests, but who for various reasons is ob varias causas impeditur, rem unable to do so, may refer the problem to Pontificiæ Commissioni “Ecclesia Dei” the Commission “Ecclesia Dei” to obtain committere potest, quæ ei consilium et counsel and assistance. auxilium dabit.

Art. 9. Art. 9

§ 1. Parochus item, omnibus bene § 1 The pastor, having attentively perpensis, licentiam concedere potest examined all aspects, may also grant utendi rituali antiquiore in permission to use the earlier ritual for the administrandis sacramentis Baptismatis, administration of the Sacraments of Matrimonii, Pœnitentiæ et Unctionis Baptism, Marriage, Penance, and the Infirmorum, bono animarum id suadente. Anointing of the Sick, if the good of souls would seem to require it. § 2. Ordinariis autem facultas conceditur § 2 Ordinaries are given the right to celebrandi Confirmationis sacramentum celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation utendo Pontificali Romano antiquo, bono using the earlier , if the animarum id suadente. good of souls would seem to require it.

§ 3. Fas est clericis in sacris constitutis § 3 Clerics ordained “in sacris constitutis” uti etiam Breviario Romano a B. Ioanne may use the Roman promulgated XXIII anno 1962 promulgato. by Bl. John XXIII in 1962.

Art 10. Art. 10

Fas est Ordinario loci, si opportunum The ordinary of a particular place, if he iudicaverit, parœciam personalem ad feels it appropriate, may erect a personal normam canonis 518 pro celebrationibus parish in accordance with can. 518 for iuxta formam antiquiorem ritus romani celebrations following the ancient form of erigere aut rectorem vel cappellanum the Roman rite, or appoint a chaplain, nominare, servatis de iure servandis. while observing all the norms of law.

Art. 11. Art. 11

Pontificia Commissio “Ecclesia Dei” a The Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Ioanne Paulo II anno 1988 erecta 5, Dei”, erected by John Paul II in 1988 5, munus suum adimplere pergit. Quæ continues to exercise its function. Said Commissio formam, officia et normas Commission will have the form, duties and agendi habeat, quæ Romanus Pontifex norms that the Roman Pontiff wishes to ipsi attribuere voluerit. assign it.

Art. 12. Art. 12

Eadem Commissio, ultra facultates This Commission, apart from the powers it quibus iam gaudet, auctoritatem Sanctæ enjoys, will exercise the authority of the Sedis exercebit, vigilando de observantia Holy See, supervising the observance and et applicatione harum dispositionum. application of these dispositions.

Quæcumque vero a Nobis hisce Litteris We order that everything We have Apostolicis Motu proprio datis decreta determined with this Apostolic Letter sunt, ea omnia firma ac rata esse et a die given Motu Proprio be considered as decima quarta Septembris huius anni, in having full and lasting force, and be festo Exaltationis Sanctæ Crucis, servari observed from September 14 of this year, iubemus, contrariis quibuslibet rebus non Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, obstantibus. notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary. Datum Romæ, apud Sanctum Petrum, die Given in Rome, at Saint Peter’s, on July 7, septima mensis Iulii, anno Domini in the year of Our Lord 2007, the third of MMVII, Pontificatus Nostri tertio. Our Pontificate. BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

5 Cfr Ioannes Paulus Pp. II, Litt. ap. Motu proprio datæ Ecclesia Dei (2 iulii 1988), 6 : AAS 80 (1988), 1498.