Adoremus, Society for the Renewal of the Sacred Liturgy
Church Documents
The following is a selection of documents that are particularly relevant to the Liturgy, given in reverse chronological order, the most recent appearing first. There are three categories of documents: papal, Vatican, (includes Vatican II’s Constitution on the Liturgy) and US Bishops.
Unless noted otherwise, all documents are reproduced in full.(Copyrights belong to the original copyright holders. All papal documents are copyrighted by the Libreria Editrice Vaticana)
On sacred music, see also list of actions of the Holy See on Liturgy and Sacred Music – 1903-1974 including relevant documents.
Links to the USCCB:
General Instruction of the Roman Missal
Liturgy of the Hours documents — Laudis Canticum, Apostolic Constitution promulgating the revised book of the Liturgy of the Hours, Pope Paul VI, November 1, 1970 | Decree promulgating the revised Liturgy of the Hours , The Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship Decree, April 11,1971, Arthur Cardinal Tabera, Prefect, A. Bugnini, Secretary | General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours, Congregation for Divine Worship, February 2, 1971
Synod Propositions for the New Evangelization
Pope Benedict XVI received a document with 58 proposals from the Synod on the New Evangelization for the Christian Faith, which took place October 7-28, 2012. Though not yet official, Pope Benedict authorized the early release of the propositions by the Vatican Press Office on October 27. The list included proposals for action to aid the Church and individual Catholics in the mission of evangelizing the modern world. Pope Benedict will review the propositions before drafting a final version. — Propositions on Vatican website: http://en.radiovaticana.va/articolo.asp?c=633514
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Papal Documents | Vatican Documents | Vatican II Documents | USCCB and other bishops’ documents | Canons (US Complementary Norms)
Papal Documents:
Pope Francis
Pope Francis on the Eucharist, The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Church’s Life, February 5 & 12, 2014, Vol. XX, No. 2, April 2014
EVANGELII GAUDIUM, APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION, November 24, 2013
Lumen Fidei, The Light of Faith, Encyclical, June 29, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI [Related Page: Benedict XVI]
APOSTOLIC LETTER, ISSUED MOTU PROPRIO, NORMAS NONNULLAS, ON CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS TO THE NORMS GOVERNING THE ELECTION OF THE ROMAN PONTIFF, Benedict XVI, February 22, 2013
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Prayer and the Christian Community, April 18, 2012, Vol. XX, No. 2, April 2014
Letter of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, PRO MULTIS to H.E. Msgr. Robert Zollitsch, Archbishop of Freiburg, President of the Episcopal Conference of Germany, Vatican, April 14, 2012
Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI to the Bishops from the United States of America on their Ad Limina Visit — "We Ourselves are the First to Need Re-evangelization, November 26, 2011
Porta Fidei — The Door of Faith, Apostolic Letter of Pope Benedict XVI Proclaiming the Year of Faith — October 11, 2011
"Do Not Be Afraid! Open, Open Wide the Doors to Christ!" – Homily of His Holiness Benedict XVI for the Beatification of the Servant of God John Paul II, May 1, 2011, Vol. XX, No. 3, May 2014
POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION VERBUM DOMINI, OF THE HOLY FATHER BENEDICT XVI, ON THE WORD OF GOD IN THE LIFE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH – September 30, 2010 – Spanish Version on the Vatican’s website
Pope Benedict XVI, Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus, Providing For Personal Ordinariates For Anglicans Entering Into Full Communion With The Catholic Church, November 4, 2009
Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for Lent 2010 — "The Justice of God has been manifested through faith in Jesus Christ", October 30, 2009
Ecclesiae Unitatem, Apostolic Letter – “Motu Proprio”, Pope Benedict XVI , July 8, 2009 [see August 2009 issue of AB]
Caritas In Veritate, Encyclical Letter, of The Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI to the Bishops, Priests And Deacons, Men And Women Religious, the Lay Faithful and All People Of Good Will, On Integral Human Development, In Charity And Truth, June 29, 2009
Pope Benedict Addresses the Pontifical Biblical Commission – Inspiration and Truth of Scripture — Pope Benedict XVI addressed the members of the Pontifical Biblical Commission on April 23, 2009 at the end of their plenary assembly. Cardinal William Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, is president of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, which meets annually after Easter.
Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI to the Members of the Congregation for the Clergy on the Occasion of their Plenary Assembly, March 16, 2009
HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Sunday, January 13, 2008
The Human Family, A Community of Peace — Message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for the Celebration of the World Day of Peace, January 1, 2008
Encyclical Letter, SPE SALVI of the Supreme Pontiff, Benedict XVI to the Bishops, Priests and Deacons, Men and Women Religious and all the Lay Faithful, ON CHRISTIAN HOPE, November 30, 2007
VISIT TO THE PONTIFICAL INSTITUTE FOR SACRED MUSIC, ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI , Via di Torre Rossa, Rome, Saturday, October 13, 2007
LITTERAE APOSTOLICAE, MOTU PROPRIO DATAE, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, July 7, 2007
On June 11, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI issued a “motu proprio", DE ALIQUIBUS MUTATIONIBUS IN NORMIS DE ELECTIONE ROMANI PONTIFICIS, which revised the norms for electing a new pope, restoring the tradition that a 2/3 majority of electors is always required to elect a pope.
SACRAMENTUM CARITATIS, BENEDICT XVI, February 22, 2007
Deus Caritas Est, Encyclical, December 25, 2005
Opening Mass of the 11th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Homily of His Holiness, Benedict XVI. Vatican Basilica, Sunday, October 2, 2005 [links to Vatican website]
Pope Benedict XVI – Angelus Message 10/2/05 [links to Vatican website]
Link to Pope Benedict XVI Page with Article, writings, etc.
For the Approval and Publication of the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church — Motu Proprio of the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI, June 28 2005 [links to the Vatican Website]
Pastoral Visit of His Holiness Benedict XVI to Bari for the Closing of the 24th Italian National Eucharistic Congress, Homily of His Holiness Benedict XVI, Esplanade of Marisabella — Sunday, May 29, 2005
Homily of Pope Benedict XVI at the Mass of Inauguration of his Petrine Ministry April 24, 2005
Cardinal Ratzinger’s Homily in Mass Before Conclave — Jesus Christ: "The Measure of True Humanism" April 18, 2005
Funeral Mass of the Roman Pontiff John Paul II – Homily of His Eminence Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger St Peter’s Square — Friday, April 8, 2005
Pope John Paul II
Letter of the Holy Father, John Paul II, to Priests for Holy Thursday 2005 March 13, 2005
Letter of Pope John Paul II to Cardinal Francis Arinze On the Occasion of the Plenary Assembly of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, March 3, 2005
Angelus Message Second Sunday of Lent, Sunday, February 20, 2005
Catechesis of His Holiness John Paul II on the Eucharist — Talks from General Audiences between 1989 and 2000.
Mane Nobiscum Domine Apostolic Letter for the Year of the Eucharist, October 2004 – October 2005 (October 7, 2004)
Homily Mass and Eucharistic Procession, for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, June 10, 2004 – Announces the "Year of the Eucharist"
AD LIMINA Visit – Louisville, Mobile and New Orleans Provinces — December 4, 2004
AD LIMINA Visit – Dubuque, Kansas City in KS, Omaha, and St. Louis Provinces — November 26, 2004
AD LIMINA Visit – New York Province — October 8, 2004
AD LIMINA Visit – Pennsylvania and New Jersey Provinces — September 11, 2004
AD LIMINA Visit – Boston and Hartford Provinces — September 2, 2004
AD LIMINA Visit – Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Anchorage Provinces — June 24, 2004
AD LIMINA Visit – Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Western Texas Provinces — June 4, 2004
AD LIMINA Visit – Indianapolis, Chicago and Milwaukee Provinces — May 28, 2004
AD LIMINA Visit – San Antonio and Oklahoma City Provinces — May 22, 2004
AD LIMINA Visit – California, Nevada, and Hawaii Provinces –– May 14, 2004
AD LIMINA Visit – Detroit and Cincinnati Provinces — May 6, 2004
AD LIMINA Visit – Baltimore and Washington DC Provinces — April 29, 2004
AD LIMINA Visit – Atlanta and Miami Provinces — April 2, 2004
AD LIMINA Visit – Australia — March 26, 2004
Spiritus et Sponsa Apostolic Letter on Liturgy – 40th Anniversary of Constitution on the Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium. (December 4, 2003)
Chirograph on Sacred Music 100th anniversary of Pope St. Pius X’s Tra le Sollecitudini (November 22, 2003)
Pastores Gregis Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation – On the Bishop, Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World (October 16, 2003)
Ecclesia In Europa Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation – On Jesus Christ Alive in His Church, the Source of Hope for Europe (June 28, 2003)
Ecclesia de Eucharistia Encyclical Letter on the Eucharist (April 17, 2003)
Rosarium Virginis Mariae Apostolic Letter on the Rosary (October 16, 2002)
Misericordia Dei Apostolic Letter on Confession (April 7, 2002)
Vox Clara Message on establishment of Vox Clara (April 20, 2002)
Address to Plenary Assembly of the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments: "I urge the bishops and the Congregation to make every effort to insure that liturgical translations are faithful to the original [texts] of the respective typical editions in the Latin language. A translation, in fact, is not an exercise in creativity, but a meticulous task of preserving the meaning of the original without changes, omissions or additions…" (September 21, 2001)
Notification on women as ordained deacons, September 17, 2001
On Altar Servers — More than "Helpers of the Parish Priest" Address at the General Audience (August 1, 2001)
Letter to Priests Apostolic Letter: Sacramental reconciliation is crucial to personal holiness (March 25, 2001)
Address to members of the Pontifical Institute for Sacred Music (January 19, 2001)
Address to the Participants in the International Congress of Sacred Music (January 27, 2001)
Novo Millennio Ineunte Apostolic Letter at the Beginning of the New Millennium (January 6, 2001)
Letter to Artists (April 4,1999)
Dies Domini On Keeping the Lord’s Day (May 31,1998)
On Active Participation in the Liturgy Ad Limina Address to Bishops of the United States (October 9, 1998)
Ad Tuendam Fidem Inserting norms in canon law (May 28, 1998)
Apostolos Suos On the nature of epispopal conferences (May 21, 1998)
On the Pastoral Care of the Liturgy Ad limina address to bishops of France (March 8, 1997)
Universi Dominici Gregis On the Vacancy of the Apostolic See and the Election of the Roman Pontiff, Apostolic Constitution, John Paul II, February 22, 1996
Fidei Depositum Apostolic Constitution on the Publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (October 11, 1992)
Redemptoris Missio On the Permanent Validity of the Chuch’s Missionary Mandate (This encyclical is much referred to in Dominus Iesus) (December 7, 1990)
Ecclesia Dei adflicta Apostolic Letter Motu Proprio – establishing the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei" to address concerns arising from activities of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre and his followers (July 2, 1988)
Vicesimus Quintus Annus Apostolic Letter on the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Constitution on the Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium (December 4, 1988)
Dominicae Cenae On the Mystery and Worship of the Eucharist (February 24, 1980)
Theology of the Body, John Paul II starting September 5, 1979 and ending November 28, 1984 – links to EWTN
Redemptor Hominis – Encyclical – (March 4, 1979)
"You are the Christ, Son of the Living God" – Homily of His Holiness John Paul II for the Inaugration of His Pontificate, October 22, 1978, Vol. XX, No. 3, May 2014
Pope Paul VI
Evangelii Nuntiandi Apostolic Exhortation on evangelization (December 8, 1975)
Ministeria Quaedam, “motu proprio”, Pope Paul VI, January 1, 1973.
By Which the Discipline of First Tonsure, Minor Orders, and Subdiaconate in the Latin Church is Reformed, Pope Paul VI, August 15, 1972
Laudis Canticum, Apostolic Constitution promulgating the revised book of the Liturgy of the Hours, Pope Paul VI, November 1, 1970
Changes in Mass for Greater Apostolate, Pope Paul VI, Address to a General Audience, November 26, 1969
Apostolic Constitution, Issued By His Holiness Pope Paul VI, Missale Romanum, On New Roman Missal, April 3, 1969
Saluberrimum Sacramentum Eucharistiae, On Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass, January 10, 1969
Paenitemini Apostolic Constitution on penance (February 17, 1966).
Mysterium Fidei Encyclical on the Holy Eucharist (September 3, 1965)
Sacram Liturgiam Motu Proprio (January 25, 1964)
Pope John XXIII
Veterum Sapientia Apostolic Constitution on the promotion of the study of Latin (February 22, 1962)
Sacerdotii Nostri Primordia Encyclical on the priesthood, centennial of Saint John Vianney (August 1, 1959)
Pope Pius XII
Musicae Sacrae Encyclical on Sacred Music (December 25, 1955)
Apostolic Constitution: Munificentissimus Deus — Defining the Dogma of the Assumption, POPE PIUS XII, November 1, 1950
Mediator Dei Encyclical on the Sacred Liturgy (November 20, 1947)
Mystici Corporis Christi Encyclical on the Mystical Body of Christ (June 29, 1943)
Pope Pius XI
Divini Cultus Enyclical on Divine Worship (December 20, 1928)
Pope Saint Pius X
Tra le Sollecitudini Motu Proprio on Sacred Music (November 22, 1903)
Pope Leo XIII
Mirae Caritatis Encyclical on the Holy Eucharist May 28, 1902
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Vatican Documents, Statements from the Holy See
Circular Letter – The Ritual Expression of the Gift of Peace at Mass, CDW, July 12, 2014
On May 22, 2012, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released 1978 "Norms" on apparitions, with a new preface by Cardinal Levada: "Norms Regarding the Manner of Proceeding in the Discernment of Presumed Apparitions or Revelations" Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith – February 25, 1978 http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19780225_norme-apparizioni_en.html . New Preface from Cardinal William Levada (14 December 2011) http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20111214_prefazione-levada_en.html
First Confession and First Communion: Documents from the Holy See clarifying the obligation of administering First Confession before First Communion to end errors and abuses of sacramental discipline. (dated 1910-2004)
Year of Faith, Note with Pastoral Recommendations, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, January 6, 2012
Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei – Universae Ecclesiae –Instruction on the Application of the Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_commissions/ecclsdei/documents/rc_com_ecclsdei_doc_20110430_istr-universae-ecclesiae_en.html April 30, 2011
Pontifical Commission Ecclesiae Dei NOTE: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_commissions/ecclsdei/documents/rc_com_ecclsdei_doc_20110513_nota-universae-ecclesiae_en.html, April 30, 2011
Complementary Norms for the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum coetibus, Congregation For The Doctrine of The Faith, November 4, 2009
APOSTOLIC PENITENTIARY – DECREE: Special Indulgence for the Year for Priests, Cardinal James Francis Stafford, Major Penitentiary, April 25, 2009
Congregation for Divine Worship – On Giving Blessings During the Communion Rite — (Protocol No. 930/08/L), dated November 22, 2008 — [AB February 2009]
US Bishops Roman Missal Formation site – http://www.usccb.org/romanmissal/
Letter to the Bishops Conferences on The Name of God, June 29, 2008, Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
Dubium on the Priest Celebrant Receiving Communion After the Faithful, November-December 2008
Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine on the Church, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, June 29, 2007
The Hope of Salvation for Infants Who Die Without Being Baptized, Report by the International Theological Commission, January 19, 2007
Prot. n. 467/05/L — Congregation for the Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, by agreement with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, — regarding the translation into the various vernaculars of the expression pro multis in the formula for the consecration of the Precious Blood during the celebration of Holy Mass, Rome, October 17, 2006
Letter of Cardinal Arinze to USCCB concerning Missal translation – May 2,
2006
Letter on “Instruction” From the Vatican’s Congregation on Catholic Education, Congregation for Catholic Education, November 4, 2005
"Instruction Concerning the Criteria for the Discernment of Vocations with regard to Persons with Homosexual Tendencies in view of their Admission to the Seminary and to Holy Orders.", Congregation for Catholic Education, November 4, 2005
Synod of Bishops, Synodus Episcoporum Bulletin XI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, October 2-23, 2005 [links to the Vatican Website]
Instrumentum laboris of the 11th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (July 7, 2005) links to the Vatican Website
Way of the Cross at the Colosseum Good Friday, March 24, 2005, Mediations and Prayers by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger — Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff
Introduction of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger to the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, March 20, 2005
[Links to the Vatican Website]
On the Eucharist and the Pastoral Care of Children –January 8, 2005, Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos, Prefect of the Congregation for Clergy.
Apostolic Penitentiary: "Urbis Et Orbis Dectretum" December 25, 2004
The Year of the Eucharist, Suggestions and Proposals Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, October 15, 2004
"The Eucharist, Light and Life of the New Millennium" — 48th International Eucharistic Congress October 10-17, 2004 — Archdiocese of Guadalajara
Cardinal Arinze – The Holy Eucharist Unites Heaven and Earth (Address Sept 25, 2004)
Redemptionis Sacramentum, Instruction, Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist, March 25, 2004.
The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church- Lineamenta, Synod of Bishops, XI Ordinary General Assembly, February 25, 2004
Vox Clara Committee Press Release November 21, 2003.
Cardinal Arinze: Some Highlights of the Liturgical Renewal Initiated by Sacrosanctum Concilium address to Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions convention (October 8, 2003)
Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith, July 24, 2003,Prot. 89/78-174 98 — Response to questions regarding the Norms for Use of Low-gluten Bread and Mustum for Holy Communion
Cardinal Arinze responds to Cardinal George on kneeling after receiving Communion (July 2003)
Considerations Regarding Proposals To Give Legal Recognition To Unions Between Homosexual Persons Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (June 3, 2003)
Congregation for Divine Worship affirms Confessions during Triduum (April 9, 2003)
Congregation for Divine Worship Responds on Holy Water, Kneeling Responses from the Congregation for Divine Worship on Holy Water, Kneeling. (April 2003)
Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding the participation of Catholics in political life Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (November 24, 2002)
Blue for Advent? Instruction on approved liturgical vestment colors from the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani 2002.
"The Priest, Pastor and Leader of the Parish Community" Congregation of the Clergy (August 4, 2002)
Official Responses on Kneeling in Notitiae Nov-Dec 2002 – Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (July 1, 2002)
Starting Afresh From Christ: A Renewed Committment To Consecrated Life In The Third Millennium Congregation For Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (June 14, 2002)
Response to Questions on Ordination of Homosexuals – Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments —
May 16, 2002
Misericordia Dei : Intervention by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
Misericordia Dei, the Holy Father’s recent apostolic letter on confession, was published in the June 2002 issue of Adoremus Bulletin. This is the introduction and explanatory note given by Cardinal Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, at the presentation of Misericordia Dei on May 2, 2002.
Observations on the English-language Translation of the Roman Missal Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments: Introductory letter from Cardinal Jorge Medina Estévez to bishops, with complete document from the Congregation critiquing the proposed revision by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy [ICEL] of the Roman Missal, second typical edition — as submitted to the Holy See for approval. (March 16, 2002)
Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, Principles and Guidelines — Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Vatican City – December 2001 (Vatican link)
On Translation and the use of the Nova Vulgata Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. November 5, 2001 (Notitiae vol. 37, Nov-Dec 2001)
Response to question on female altar servers Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. (July 27, 2001; published in Notitiae, Vol 37 [2001] Num 8-9, p 397-399.)
Reply to a question about hearing confessions during Mass Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (October 2001)
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