Breviarium Romanum

granted for printing, which we expressly revoke through these present documents. We wish them to be considered revoked. This also applies to general and special Apostolic constitutions and ordinances granted, confirmed, or approved in any way that contradict these premises. Even if special, specific, and express mention should have been made of them and their entire contents, we consider their contents as if they were expressed in these presents. For this time only, we specially and expressly derogate from them and all other contrary things. We also desire that the same faith be given to copies of our present letters, even those printed in the Breviaries themselves or signed by the hand of a public Notary and secured with the seal of a person established in Ecclesiastical dignity, as would be given to these presents if they were exhibited or shown.

Given at Rome at Saint Mark's under the Ring of the Fisherman, on the 10th day of May, 1602. In the eleventh year of Our Pontificate.

POPE URBAN VIII.

FOR THE PERPETUAL MEMORY OF THE MATTER.

It is fitting that the Divine Psalmody the act of singing or reciting psalms in worship, which consoles the bride the Church in this exile during her absence from her heavenly groom, should have neither wrinkle nor stain. Since it is the daughter of that hymnody sung constantly before the throne of God and the Lamb, it ought to prefer nothing, as far as possible, that could call away or distract the minds of those singing from God and divine things. Such distractions occur if phrases or words are occasionally found that are not arranged in a manner suitable for such a great work of service and ministry. These reasons once compelled our predecessors of happy memory, Pope Pius V, to bind the Roman Breviary to a fixed method of prayer, and Pope Clement VIII to restore it to its former beauty after it had been corrupted by the passage of time and the carelessness of printers. We have been drawn to the same thought by our concern for sacred things, which we consider the first and best part of our duty. We also consider the judgments and wishes of pious and learned men who complained that the Breviary contained many things that had fallen from their original luster or were left incomplete by others, desiring that we apply the final hand. Therefore, we have devoted diligent effort to this matter. By our command, several learned and wise men applied their serious care. Through their diligence and study, the work has been completed. We hope it will be pleasing to all and honorable to God and the holy Church. In this edition, the Hymns (with a few exceptions) which consisted of prose or rhythmic verse were returned to the laws of classical meter and Latinity whenever possible. This was done by using more accurate manuscripts or making changes. Where it was not possible, they were composed anew, though the original meaning was preserved as much as possible. The punctuation of the Vulgate the standard Latin translation of the Bible edition was restored in the Psalms and Canticles. For the convenience of the singers, for whom the punctuation had sometimes been changed, we provided asterisks. The Sermons and Homilies of the Fathers were compared with many printed editions and ancient manuscripts, resulting in many additions and corrections. The Histories of the Saints were revised from ancient and

approved authors. The Rubrics the instructions for how to perform the liturgy, traditionally printed in red ink were explained more clearly and conveniently, with some removals and additions. Finally, all things were arranged and polished with great and long labor, so that what was desired has been brought to a successful conclusion. Since such exact industry from learned men requires the honesty of printers so that it does not fail, we have commanded our beloved son Andrea Brogiotto, the Prefect of our Apostolic Press, to oversee the first publication of this Breviary. All those who print the Roman Breviary hereafter are bound to follow this model. Outside the City Rome, we wish that no one be permitted to print or publish this same Breviary in the future unless they have received written permission from the Inquisitors of heretical depravity, if they are present; otherwise, from the local Ordinaries the local bishop or equivalent ecclesiastical authority. If any printer prints, or any bookseller sells, a Roman Breviary in any form against this prescription outside our Ecclesiastical jurisdiction, they shall be subject to the penalty of excommunication. From this, they cannot be absolved except by the Roman Pontiff (unless they are at the point of death). Those living in the beloved City and the rest of the Ecclesiastical State shall incur a penalty of five hundred gold ducats, the loss of their books, and the loss of all printing types to be applied to the treasury without further declaration. Furthermore, Breviaries printed or published without the aforementioned permission are considered prohibited by that very fact. Inquisitors and local Ordinaries shall not grant such permission until they have diligently compared the Breviary, both before and after printing, with this model published by our authority, and have found that nothing has been added or taken away. In the permission itself, a copy of which must always be added at the end or beginning of every printed Breviary, they must make mention in their own hand of this completed comparison and the found conformity between both Breviaries. This is under penalty of removal from office for Inquisitors and inability to hold others in the future. For local Ordinaries, the penalty is suspension from divine offices and an interdict from entering the church. For their Vicars, the penalty is removal from their offices and benefices a permanent Church appointment that provides a living for the holder.