1 P 0 S 1' II U C L G T T |j II

ON OFFERING THE DAILY IIEADING OF THE

BREVIARY FOR THE ECUMENICAL CODNCIL

UCRAE lAOIS

His Holiness

PoPE John XXIII

January 6, 1962



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Translafion of an Apostolic Lettcr of Januari/ 6‘,

1962 urging pricsts of the tvorld Io offer the rcadin/f

of the Breviari/ for the infenfions of the Second Vati-

ean Ectnnenical Councih

Venerable Brothers' and beloved sons:

It is only natiiral that the chorus of praise and of thanks-

giving, addressed tO' God in every part of the Catholic vvorld

for the convocation of the Second Vatican Eciimenical Coun-

cil, should not only continue, but give rise to pulsations of a

constantly more intense fervor of Christian hfe.

The echo of general satisfaction, which reaches even here

close to the Tomb of St. Peter, invites Us, therefore, to seek

timely means to unite more closely all souls in preparation for

the great event. This will correspond all the more perfectly

to its ends and to its universal expectation the more it will

foster a coUeetive, decisive and harmonious effort for general

sanctification, in addition to the strengthening of the Catholic

Faith) and the revising of Church legislation in conformity with

present day conditions.

First an Invitation to the Students for the Priesthood

The first form of cooperation for the success that we ex-
pect is prayer. Above all priestly prayer which immediately

gives tone and fervor to the spiritual elevation of all Chris-

tian people.

This is why, as eariy as Monday, September 12, 1960, the

hturgical day dedicated to the Most Blessed Name of Maiy,
at the time of Our happy and exceptional country visit at Roc-
cantica (summer horne) of the students of the Roman Semi-

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naiy—so dear among the memories of Our priestly beginnings
—We welcome the inspiration of giving to those beloved young
men a task of universal prayer.

This woLild gather together every day in perfect com-

mimion the students for the priesthood, that they might pre-

pare through a life of intense and fervent piety for the great

event of the conncil, that it may eorrespond to the expectations

of the whole of Catholieism and of the entire world.

This task’ was weleomed with general satisfaetion. Froin

the solitude of the Sabine Hilis it spanned all distanees, it

reached the young seininarians of all languages and of all na-

tions, like the igniting of a saered fire of preparation for the

dear and holy joys of that new priesthood, to which will be re-

served the first application of the wise decisions of the future

eouneil.

Oh! blessed and perennial youth who, under the auspiees

of the holy name of Maiy, and as though guided by her, pre-

pare the shining legions for the benefieial apostolate of the

Church of the future!

The Conncil^ a New Epiphany

The reeent feast of Christmas brought us elose during

those holy days not only to the Mother but also to her sponse,

dear St. Joseph, both moving together on the road of Bethle-

hem toward the fulfilhnent of the great mystery of the “Word

was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.” ^ Who, more than the

priest, is worthy of familiarizing himself with St. Joseph, to

whom was granted the joy not only of seeing and hearing God,

but of earrying, kissing, dressing and guarding Him?

On the occasion of his feast, therefore, on March 19, of last

year, it was also to Him that We wished to entrust the inef-

T'fr. Discourses, Messages, Talks of the Hohj Father John

XXIII, 11, pp. 466-472.

‘^John 1, 14.

'T4r. Roinan Missal, Preparation for Mass.

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fahlo task ol Patron ol tlu' (a)niuMl as lu' lias aircady Ixvn

(U'C'lai('cl Palron ol tho Um’\i'rsal (diiirrli oii tlio oroasion ol

llu' \'atic'an Ca)mu'il ol l)i'c'(‘mlHT S, ISd^).

JSotv M Are at the Epiphany oj The Ij4trd

lk‘hokl, around josiis at H('tlil('lu'ni, tlu' scsmk' ol ( 1 k‘

C)1k wliat a s})ectaclo! Tlioy hastcaunl Iroin llu' Ivisl, po'-

codod and guidod to their groat jo\' hy a uoiuUmIuI siar.

The Evangelist St. Matthow describens lluan to us witli

delightful sdinplicit)^ ol' words and color. As soon as tbcN'

arrived, they knelt in adoration belorc tlie Cdiild Jcsiis as a

sign ol' their feelings and oftered Iliin gilts ol gold, Irankin

cense and myrrh.^’

Picture these nnexpected visitors of high social rank, as ai c

the Magi, chosen flowers for their personal dignity, for tlieir

open and alert intelligence, performing sacred and distinet rep.

resentative fimctions. It is spontaneons and beantifnl for Oin

spirit to contemplate the enchanting spectacle of all the com-

ponents of the Catholic priesthood—bishops, prelates, priests
of the diocesan and religious clergy—all moved by the same
star to snrronnd the same Jesus with homage, Who is alive

throngh the centuries at the center of His glorions and im-

mortal Church.

Does it not seem that prior to being a new and great Pente-

cost the ecumenical conncil intends to be a real and new Epip-

hany, one of many, but one of the most solemn manifestations

that have been repeated and are repeated thronghont history?

The act of these thtee strange and fortunate figures, wor-

shiping in mystical prayer and offering the precions gifts of

their lands to the newborn Saviour in the name of the whole

World is very significant.

^Apostolic Letter “Le voci \ March 19, 1961, A.A S. LIII (1961)

pp. 205-213).

^Mattkew 2, 1, 12.

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Paternal Appeal to the Entire Catholic Clergy

Venerable Brothers and beloved sons!

Allow Us to teli you that it is from this (picture) that

We derive the inspiration of suggesting to all of you who are
piiests of the CafhoHc Church to repeat the twofold act of

adoration and of offering every day of this year, which begins

now, of more intense spiritual preparation for the council.

We have thought, therefore, of cahing the attention of the
Catholic clergy, which amounts to saying all those people who

belong to the priestly order of every country, of eveiy rite, of

every language, to their most eminent duty of praying fre-

quently for the council.

The Holy Sacrifice of the daily Mass is above every form

of liturgical supplication. But nothing is more precious for a

priest than the recitation of the praise of God, that is the Divine

Office.

We consider it pertinent to point out to all who are anointed
by the Lord that they are obhged to recite these prayers as a

special form of devotion in preparation for the council. Most

intense care is required in the recitation of the daily Divine

Office, whether it be said under splendid or modest vaults of a

church or chapel, or recited in choir—which is the most perfect
form of supplication—or in the privacy of an individuahs re-
collection, for it is always offered as a sacrifice of praise in the

name of the universal Church.

Why, Venerable Brothers and beloved sons, would you not

all, with generous hearts, join in applying, during this new year,

this Service of prayer which we have recommended to the end

that God may look with gracious favor upon this great event

which Christians await with gladsome expectation? Why would

not all of you, We say, make this intention, from the newly or-
dained subdeacon, who, with devotion and zeal, has just begun

to taste the delights of the Divine Office and to experience in

its recitation a heart-filling joy, to the venerable old man who,

while he pours out his prayers, enjoys a soothing peace as if

he were aheady admitted to that heavenly blessedness reserved

for him in the Assembly of the Saints?

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K\rr\' pricst is, in liict, not onl\’ “st(‘\Nard ol tlic iii\strri(*s

of God” as lu' is in tlu' lloly Mass hui lu‘ is also mediator

l)et\N'een Ca)d and nien. Ih' is lik(‘ ('lirist hims('ll, and in Ilis

likeness “taken Iroin among incai, lu' is api)oint(‘d lor nuMi in

the things pertaining to G(h1.”

As St. John Glnysosloin explains e\c(‘lk‘ntly
:

pri(‘st is

in the centei'' hetween (h)d and inen: he hrings to ns tlu‘ goods

that come froin there and to tliere lie takos onr jn-aycM S.” ”

The Divine Office^ a Most Lofty Priestly Prayer

This reminder of Ours of the Divine Office as a character-

istic form of great and most lofty priestly prayer (is) to ob-

tain graces and the gifts which the whole world expects from

the forthcoming ecumenical council. It leads Us again, like

an admirable reminder, to the characteristics with which the

Lord Jesus wished to mark His Church, through which it is

and remains after 20 centuries of foundation, one, holy, Cath-

olic and apostolic. (It is) always vibrant and vigorous, and

intensely anxious that the different Christian confessions, which

through the centuries of history have lived and stili live sep-

arated from her, should be reunited with her to enjoy the same

benefits.

The daily Breviary of the priest, then, recited according

to the variety of rites, of languages, of dioceses, or of religious

families remains always the great divine poem offered for the

song of humanity, redeemed by Jesus Christ, the Word of

the Father, Incarnate “of the Holy Spirit, of the Virgin Maiy”

and made true Man, crucified and lisen.

The devout turning of the pages of this poem is joy for

the mind; a daily teaching for life; rehef and comfort among

the difficulties and weariness of human vicissitudes and temp-

tations and a reconfirmed certainty of future joys.

Corinthians 4, 1.

'‘Hebrews 5, 1: cfr. 8, 6; 9, 15; 12, 24; 1 Timothy 2, 5.

^Homily, 5 in Isaiam, PG, LVI, coi. 131.

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It is a gieat joy for eveiy priest to feel himself, wlien re-

citing the Divine Office, as though l aised up tenderly in that

atmosphere of catholicity, that is, of universaliy which breathes

from its pages, where everything shines and sings.

With the psalms—which are true joy, a wise admonition
and gentle repose of the spirit—^there are intertwined, in fact,
passages of the other books of the Old Testament, and, to-

gether with these, the very rich teaching of the foui" evangelical

texts, the incomparable sublimity of the Pauline epistles and

the other New Testament writers.

Ali this is contained in the daily Breviary, an inexhausted

and inexhaustible source of light and grace. It is indeed from

this that our Second Vatican Ecumenical Council—through
the valuable and steadfast work of the various preparatory com-

missions^—is already drawing substantial elements of very pure
doctrine and of wise provisions of ecclesiastic teaching, in stud-

ied and enlightened correspondence with the rnodern and un-

derstandable demands of our times and places.

It can well be said, therefore, that we all feel ourselves

at the beginning of a new epoch, which is based on loyalty to

the ancient heritage, which opens itself to the marvels of real

spiritual progress. And this (new epoch) can expect dignity,

prosperity and blessing only from Christ, glorious and im-

mortal King of centuries and peoples.

Sanctified Recitation of the Breviary for the

Historical Event of the Church

Venerable Brothers and beloved sons!

Drawing toward the end of this confident invitation for

the religious fervor of each priestly soul, in whatever part of

the World he may live, and in order that the contribution of

each day may be beneficial to the good success of the Second

Vatican Ecumenical Council, with loving eyes We contemplate
once again the episode of the adoration of the Holy Magi.

We like to consider today’s mystery of the Epiphany not
only in the gesture of faith and of love of those worthy repre-

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S(Milali\ t'S ol all tlu' iialiiais ol llir woi ld hiil |)ai I iciil.n l\ iii

tlu' ()Hc'rin<2; ol llu'ir

Tlu'\’ aT(' prc't'i()us gills in lluansi-K (\s, l)iil slill more pice

ioiis hecausc' ot tlu'ir siu;ni(it‘anc'c': i^olcL c'li.u it\ ; iiicviisc, |)ra\cr:

inyi rh, inortifioation.

Tlu' sanctifiod rocadation of (lu‘ pricvstK liivxiaiy loi llic

propitiation ol graces for tlu' oonncil c'oiild nol 1)(' oxpicsstal

better than b\- this tbrcofold lioinago. lU'll('c‘l \\(‘ll on lliis.

In tlie Divine OIRce e\'er\thing is a r('mind('r, a c‘ont(’in-

plation, a practice of cbarit\% a perfnine of nnstical inc'(Mis(‘, a

constant fragrance of prayer. Good works, tlicn, (aris(‘) of

the priestly ininistry, sometimcs difficnlt, inortifying, painlnl.

Oh! What a chosen goal! Bnt this is also in tlic odor of

tendemess.

We trnst that the priests of the whole world will welcoine
willingly Onr paternal invitation regarding this fonn of tlieir

eooperation for the snccess of the great conncil, whicli is

awaited with snch great expectation by so many sonis and b\

the whole world.

We alsO' wish to say for yonr mntiial enconragement that,
in this pious manifestation of priestlv fervor, the hnmble Pas-

tor of the nniversal Church intends to feel himself united with

all his priests, who are foiind in every land and on all the seas.

The Pope always dedicates the veiy first honrs of the

morning to the qniet recitation of his Breviary whieh, consid-

ered as a guide to prayer in the variety of its expressions, can

well be called the Breviary of the nniversal Church.

We wish to end Onr exhortation with a passage from the
Apocalypse, that marvelous book of comforts, whieh can offer

substantial food for meditation, especially for priests. In it is

described something whieh is like a divine liturgy in Heaven:

“And another angel came and stood before the altar, hav-

ing a golden censer; and there was given to him much incense,

that he might offer it with the prayers. of all the saints upon

the golden altar whieh is before the throne. And with the

prayers of the saints there went up before God from the angei’s

9



hand the smoke of the incense. And the angel took the

censer and filled it with the fite of the altar and threw it down

upon the earth. . . ®

This is a moving image of the influence which the prayers

of the saints, which are those of the Church, have (had)

through the goodness and mercy of God on the course of

events and of human history.

Confidence in this supernatural efficaciousness of the

prayer of the Church, and in a special way of the Divine Of-

fice, has urged Us to request by means of this exhortation, of

ali those people who recite it through the official mission re-

ceived from the Church, to offer it particularly for the happy

success of the council, that, seeking out the signs of the most

ardent youth of the Church, it may return due splendor to its

face.

‘In this way there will be given to the world an admirable

spectacle of truth, of unity and of charity; and those people

who' are separated from this Apostolic See will derive from this

spectacle a tender invitation to seek and achieve that unity

which Christ implored with ardent prayer.”

In Perfect Union with the Supreme Pontiff

We have spoken to you with a heart that is pleased to
seek you every day wherever you may be, spread throughout

the world. Let Us feel now the joy of feeling Omselves al-

ways close to you, in a mutual heartbeat of faith, of univer-

sal charity, while We cherish the very sweet hope that you,
together with Us, will keep the ecumenical council in your

prayers, now, during the months of preparation and like\vise

stili more during the days of its solemn celebration.

And in order that this union of heai'ts may find its per-

manent expression also in a common formula of prayer, We
suggest this prayer to you for recitation before (reading) the

Breviary.

^Apoc. 8, 3-5; cfr. 5, 8.

^^Encyclical Ad Petri Cathedram, A.A.S., 51, 1959, p. 511.

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^\\cc(f)tmn lihi sit, no}nin(' Prus, sanifirimn

Idudis, quod dhiuac mairslali luar ofJ('ro pvo

cxilu Concilii ('tccumcniri \'(ili('(oii sc('uu(li, cl pmcsia,

ul quod si))wl cum Poiitificc nostro lonnnc sui)i)H('il(‘r

(I Ic petimus, per tnistwicordiam tmnn cDicucitcr (on-

sccjiKimur. AmoiP **

May Wc bc allowcd to add, to<>;('llu'i- will» (his i)rav('r, a
thouglit that \Vc' bc'lic*\r caii bc' a siibj('C't ol iis('lnl iiicdita-

tion for priests?

It is a coininon and \cr\' dear tcacliiiu^ in tlu‘ C^hnrch ibat

tlie enstody of e\ ery baptized Innnan is CMitnistcd lo a gnardian

angel. Let us entrnst lo this heaxcaily gnardian angcl tlu'

special task of a more gracions vigilance over ns in tbe recita-

tion of the daily Divine Office, that this dnty performed worth-

ily, attentively and devontly, may be pleasing to God, tliat it

may be meritorioiis for onrselves and edifying for sonis.

Finally, trusting that you, venerable Brothers and beloved

sons, may willingly welcome this exhortation of Ours, We im-
plore for you from Almighty God the abimdance of divine

graces, in pledge of which and as a token of Our Benevolence,

We impart to you with a pateinal spirit the apostolic bene-
diction.

Dated Rome, at St. PeteFs, Januaiy 6, 1962, feast of the

Epiphany, the fourth year of Our pontificate.

JOHN XXIII

* PartiaI indulgence of 500 days for devoutly reciting the

above prayer. Plenary Indulgence once a month under the

usual conditions if said daily.

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