- Pope Benedict XVI issued the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, allowing for wider celebration of the Tridentine Latin Mass. - The Roman Missal promulgated by Paul VI remains the ordinary expression of the Church's liturgy, but the 1962 Missal can be used as an extraordinary form with due honor given to its venerable tradition. - Priests may freely celebrate Mass using either the 1962 Missal or the 1970 Missal in private Masses, except during the Easter Triduum. Communities may use the 1962 Missal for community worship with permission of their superiors.

1. LITTERÆ APOSTOLICÆ APOSTOLIC LETTER
MOTU PROPRIO DATÆ SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM
BENEDICTUS XVI OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF
BENEDICT XVI
SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM GIVEN MOTU PROPRIO
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 must 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 prayer
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 Mass 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
1
Institutio generalis Missalis Romani, Editio tertia, 2002, 397.

2. sua illustrarunt, «ut operi Dei nihil announcement of the Gospel illustrated
præponatur» (cap. 43). Tali modo sacra with their lives the wise provision of their
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 Latin 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 saints, 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 Sanctus Pius V, qui effectively. Outstanding among them is
magno cum studio pastorali, Concilio Saint Pius V who, sustained by great
Tridentino exhortante, totum Ecclesiæ pastoral zeal and following the
cultum innovavit, librorum liturgicorum exhortations of the Council of Trent,
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 Latin Church.
Inter Ritus romani libros liturgicos patet One of the liturgical books of the Roman
eminere Missale Romanum, quod in rite is the Roman Missal, 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
2
reform'2. Thus acted also our predecessors
redintegrationem» . Sic vero egerunt
2
Ioannes Paulus Pp. II, Litt. ap. Vicesimus quintus annus (4 Decembris 1988), 3 : AAS 81 (1989), 899.

3. Clement VIII, Urban VIII, Saint Pius X3,
Decessores nostri Clemens VIII,
Urbanus VIII, sanctus Pius X3, Benedict XV, Pius XII and Blessed John
Benedictus XV, Pius XII et beatus XXIII.
Ioannes XXIII.
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 Roman Missal. 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
harmony'4.
ædificium liturgicum […] rursus,
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
“Quattuor abhinc annos”, 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.
3
Ibid.
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.

4. 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
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 ordinary 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. Conditiones 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

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

6. § 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 vernacular, 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 cannot arrange for such celebration to
celebrationem providere non potest res take place, the matter should be referred to
ad Pontificiam Commissionem “Ecclesia the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei”.
Dei” referatur.
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

7. 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 Roman Pontifical, 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 Breviary 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 erecta5, Dei”, erected by John Paul II in 19885,
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
5
Cfr Ioannes Paulus Pp. II, Litt. ap. Motu proprio datæ Ecclesia Dei (2 iulii 1988), 6 : AAS 80 (1988), 1498.

8. 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, Given in Rome, at Saint Peter’s, on July 7,
die septima mensis Iulii, anno Domini in the year of Our Lord 2007, the third of
MMVII, Pontificatus Nostri tertio. Our Pontificate.
BENEDICTUS PP. XVI