PIUS, BISHOP

SERVANT OF THE SERVANTS OF GOD

An ornamental drop cap 'Q' features floral and geometric patterns within a square frame. The duty of Our pastoral office requires Us to ensure that the decrees of the holy Council of Trent are carried out as much as possible with God's help. We understand that this must be done even more urgently when it concerns matters that involve the glory of God and the duties of the clergy. In this regard, We believe the sacred prayers, praises, and thanksgivings contained in the Roman Breviary are of the highest importance. This formula for the Divine Office the daily cycle of prayers performed by clergy was once piously and wisely established by the Supreme Pontiffs, especially Gelasius I and Gregory I. It was later reformed by Gregory VII. However, as time passed, it drifted away from its ancient institution. It seemed necessary to return it to the original rule of prayer. Some people deformed the excellent structure of the old Breviary by cutting parts out or adding uncertain and foreign elements. Many others were attracted by a supposedly more convenient version. They turned to the brevity of a new Breviary composed by Cardinal Francisco Quignonez. Furthermore, a bad habit had gradually spread into the provinces. Bishops began to create their own private Breviaries for their churches. These churches had originally shared the old Roman custom of singing and reciting the Canonical Hours specific times of day set aside for prayer. This broke the unity of offering prayers and praises to the one God. Each diocese began using a different and unique Office. This led to confusion in divine worship in many places. It also led to a great ignorance of church ceremonies and rites among the clergy. Many ministers performed their duties in an undignified way, which offended the faithful. Pope Paul IV, of happy memory, found this variety of prayer very serious and decided to correct it. He provided that no new Breviaries would be permitted in the future. He took up the task of bringing the entire method of reciting and singing the Hours back to the ancient custom. However, he died before he could finish these excellent beginnings. Later, when Pope Pius IV, of pious memory, recalled the Council of Trent, the Fathers planned to restore the Breviary according to the plan of Pope Paul IV. Therefore, everything that Paul IV had collected and worked on for this sacred task was sent to the Fathers at Trent by the aforementioned Pope Pius IV. The Council gave the task to several learned and pious men to finish the

Breviary. As the conclusion of the Council drew near, the whole matter was referred to the authority and judgment of the Roman Pontiff by a decree of the Council. He called those same selected Fathers to Rome and added other suitable men to their number to finish the work. When he also passed away, We Pope Pius V were raised to the height of the Apostleship by God's mercy. We pushed the sacred work forward and used other expert men. By the great kindness of God, We have seen this Roman Breviary completed. We reviewed its arrangement and found that the editors did not depart from the ancient Breviaries of the noble churches of Rome and the Vatican library. They followed respected authors on this subject. They removed what was foreign or uncertain, and they omitted nothing essential to the ancient Divine Office. We have approved the work and ordered it to be printed in Rome and distributed. Therefore, to ensure this work is effective, We first abolish and cancel the new Breviary edited by the aforementioned Cardinal Francisco. We abolish it in every church, monastery, convent, order, or place for men and women, even those with exemptions. We also abolish all other Breviaries, whether older ones, those with special privileges, or those published by Bishops in their own dioceses. We forbid their use in all churches and monasteries throughout the world where the rite of the Roman Church is usually or should be used. However, We make an exception for those institutions that have used their own specific Breviaries for at least two hundred years. We do not take away their right to use their own Office. But if this new Breviary pleases them more, We permit them to use it if the Bishop and the entire Chapter the governing body of a cathedral or monastery agree. We cancel all other permissions, customs, and statutes, even those confirmed by oath or Apostolic authority. This includes all privileges and licenses for praying and singing according to the suppressed Breviaries for the aforementioned churches, orders, and even for Cardinals, Patriarchs, and Archbishops.