“Traditionis Custodes” and the Liturgical Rites of the Roman Catholic Church

Pope Francis issued a motu proprio on July 16 declaring that “the liturgical books promulgated by Saint Paul VI and Saint John Paul II, in conformity with the decrees of Vatican Council II, are the unique expression of the lex orandi(rule of prayer) of the Roman Rite.” The decree, Traditionis Custodes (Guardians of the Tradition), also reaffirms that bishops have exclusive authority to approve and oversee the celebration of the Mass in the Extraordinary Form using the Missale Romanum of 1962 in their dioceses.

In a letter to “the Bishops of the whole world” accompanying the declaration, Pope Francis explained that his decision to issue the decree was identical to the reason Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict issued motu proprios allowing the use of the former Missal: “to do  everything possible to ensure that all those who truly possessed the desire for unity would find it possible to remain in this unity or to rediscover it anew.”

Pope Francis reveals that his decision to release the decree was made after consulting the bishops. “In line with the initiative of my Venerable Predecessor Benedict XVI to invite the bishops to assess the application of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum three years after its publication (2007), the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith carried out a detailed consultation of the bishops in 2020. The results have been carefully considered in the light of experience that has matured during these years.”

In addition to reaffirming the bishops’ authority to grant permission to priests for using the Missale Romanum of 1962, the decree designates how it may be used within dioceses. The document calls for appointing a priest to provide for the spiritual and pastoral care of the faithful who celebrate Mass with the former Missal. It also directs bishops to determine that groups currently celebrating Mass using the former Missal “do not deny the validity and the legitimacy of the liturgical reform, dictated by Vatican Council II and the Magisterium of the Supreme Pontiffs.”

Other Liturgical Rites of the Roman Catholic Church

Prior to the Council of Trent in the 16th century, a variety of liturgical rites had developed as Christian communities were established and expanded throughout the world. Following the Council, Pope Pius V joined some of his predecessors in moving to create consistency in the celebration of Mass for all Roman Catholics. He promulgated the publication of the 1570 Roman Missal and declared its use mandatory. Though he suppressed the use of most other Missals and breviaries, Pope Pius V allowed for the use of some rites that had proof of their use for at least 200 years. Despite their legitimacy, most local churches and groups voluntarily discontinued use of their unique rites over time in favor of the Roman Rite. Liturgical rites approved for use by the Second Vatican Council that remain in use today are: 

The Ambrosian Rite – Named for St. Ambrose and including hymns attributed to him, is approved for use in the Archdiocese of Milan, Italy (where Ambrose was bishop), and in some neighboring parishes in Italy and Switzerland. Similar to the Roman Rite, it is used by approximately five million Catholics and now celebrated primarily in Italian, rather than Latin.

The Rite of Braga – Originating in the 11th century in the Archdiocese of Braga of northern Portugal, the Rite of Braga was approved for use following the publication of the 1570 Roman Missal. Though most priests of the archdiocese use the Roman Rite, continuation of its use was again authorized after the Second Vatican Council on an optional basis and for some special occasions

The Mozarabic Rite – Now officially called the Hispanic-Mozarabic Rite, this rite was practiced by Christians in Spain and what is now Portugal for 10 centuries, including throughout the almost 400 years of Islamic rule. Pope Gregory VII suppressed the use of the rite and replaced it with the Roman Rite in 1080, but when Toledo was recaptured by Christians in 1085, the six remaining parishes were allowed to continue using it for Mass. The number of parishes and Catholic “Mozarabs” had declined almost to the point of extinction, until Pope Pius V authorized use of the Mozarabic Rite after the publication of the 1570 Roman Missal. Vatican Council II authorized its use in Toledo, Spain and limited other locations. Two remaining parishes in Toledo with about 200 families continue to celebrate Mass with the Mozarabic Rite and the Poor Clare Sisters of Madrid celebrate Mass each Tuesday using the rite.

The Carthusian Rite – This rite originated with the Order of Carthusians founded by St. Bruno around the 11th century and was adapted from the rite of Lyons, the local See, to suit the monastic community. Pope Pius V authorized its use after the publication of the Roman Missal in 1570, as did the Second Vatican Council. A revised version of the rite was approved for use in 1981.

Benedictine Rite – The Benedictines have continued to use their specific rite for the Liturgy of the Hours but have never had a separate rite for Mass.