Roman Breviary

...we hope: since in it the Hymns (with few exceptions), which consisted not in meter but in prose, or even in rhythm, have been restored, wherever possible, to the laws of poetry and Latinity. This was done either by using more accurate manuscripts or by making certain changes. Where it was not possible [to restore them to meter], they were composed anew, though keeping the same meaning as much as was permitted. The punctuation of the Vulgate The late-4th-century Latin translation of the Bible that became the Catholic Church's official version. edition has been restored in the Psalms and Canticles. For the convenience of those singing—for whose sake this punctuation had sometimes been changed—care was taken by adding Asterisks. The Sermons and Homilies of the Fathers were compared with many printed editions and ancient manuscripts; thus, many parts were supplied, and many amended and corrected. The Histories of the Saints have been revised based on ancient and approved authors. The Rubrics Instructions for how to perform liturgical services, traditionally written in red ink. were explained more clearly and conveniently, with some removed and others added. Finally, everything was arranged and polished with such great and long labor, diligently and accurately, that what was desired has been brought to a successful conclusion. Since, therefore, such great and exact industry of learned men requires the loyalty of printers so that it does not fall entirely into ruin, we have commanded our beloved son Andrea Brogiotto, Prefect of our Apostolic Typography, to take charge of publishing this Breviary for the first time. All who print the Roman Breviary hereafter are bound to follow this copy. Furthermore, we desire that no one outside the City The "City" (Urbs) refers to Rome. be permitted to print or publish this same Breviary in the future, unless they have received permission in writing from the Inquisitors of Heretical Depravity, if such exist there; otherwise, from the Ordinaries The local bishop or equivalent church authority. of the places. But if any printer should print, or any bookseller should sell, a Roman Breviary in any form against this decree, let those outside our ecclesiastical jurisdiction be subject to the penalty of excommunication Expulsion from the communion of the Church. by a sentence already passed original: "latæ sententiæ" — a legal term meaning the penalty is incurred automatically upon the commission of the act., from which they cannot be absolved except by the Roman Pontiff (unless at the point of death). However, those living in the beloved City and the rest of the Ecclesiastical State shall incur, without further declaration and without hope of pardon, a fine of five hundred gold ducats of the Chamber, as well as the loss of their books and all printing equipment, to be forfeited to the same Chamber. Nevertheless, Breviaries printed or published without the aforementioned permission are, by that very fact,