Sacred Congregation of Rites 1883 – elevation of the feast of the Guardian Angels + votive office of the angels (ASS 16)

The Decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites of July 5, 1883, approved by Pope Leo XIII, elevated the feast of the Holy Guardian Angels (October 2) from “duplex minor” to “duplex maior” in the universal liturgy. It also established the Votive Office of the Angels for feria II (Monday), the first magisterial liturgical systematization of the weekly cult of the angels. Text in the primary source Acta Sanctae Sedis vol. 16 (1883), pp. 47-48.

Historical context

On July 28, 1882, Leo XIII had issued the Apostolic Letters “Cum Ecclesia” altering the general Rubric of the Roman Breviary (Tit. X De Translatione Festorum), restricting the transfer of duplex minor and semiduplex feasts. This reform left “sedes liberae” (free places) in the calendar, which needed to be filled. On July 5, 1883, the Sacred Congregation of Rites published the complementary decree that regularized:

1. Elevation of the feast of the Guardian Angels (October 2) and of Saint Paul (June 30) to duplex maior
2. Introduction of the Votive Office of the Angels for feria II
3. Other liturgical provisions concerning the feasts of the Saints

Original Latin text (ASS 16, pp. 47-48)

“Per Apostolicas Litteras in forma Brevis die 28 Iulii superiore anno editas Sanctissimus Dominus Noster LEO PAPA XIII, sententiam confirmans specialis Sacrorum Rituum Congregationis a se constitutae, cum aliquot Sanctorum atque etiam Beatorum Officia Kalendario universalis Ecclesiae, nec non Kalendario particulari Urbis addidisset; quo in utroque Kalendario habeantur sedes liberae ad nova officia introducenda, Rubricam generalem Breviarii Romani Tit. X de Translatione Festorum immutandam praecepit…

I. A General Indult is granted both to Chapters and Ecclesiastical Communities of any kind and to individuals of the clergy of both sexes to fulfill the Votive Offices throughout the year in place of the Ferial Offices, except on Ash Wednesday, during the whole season of the Passion, and in Holy Advent, from December 17 until December 24 inclusive…

The annual Votive Offices correspond approximately to the Votive Masses of the Roman Missal and are assigned to each day of the week: on Monday concerning the Angels, on Tuesday concerning the Holy Apostles (in Rome, concerning Ss. Peter and Paul), on Wednesday concerning Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patron of the Catholic Church, on Thursday concerning the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, on Saturday concerning the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

II. The Feast of the Commemoration of Saint Paul the Apostle on June 30 and that of the Holy Guardian Angels on October 2 are elevated from the Double minor rite to the Double major rite for the whole Church.

English translation

“By the Apostolic Letters in the form of a Brief issued on July 28 of the previous year, Our Most Holy Lord Pope LEO XIII, confirming the judgment of the special Sacred Congregation of Rites constituted by him, after having added some Offices of Saints and also of the Blessed to the Calendar of the universal Church and to the particular Calendar of the City [of Rome], so that in both Calendars there might be free places for the introduction of new offices, decided to modify the general Rubric of the Roman Breviary Tit. X De Translatione Festorum…

I. Let a General Indult be given, both to Chapters and to any Ecclesiastical Communities, and to each member of the clergy, to fulfill Votive Offices during the year in place of the Ferial Offices, except on the Ferias of Ash Wednesday, of the whole season of the Passion, and of Holy Advent from December 17 until December 24 inclusive…

Votive Offices of this kind during the year, in near correspondence with the Votive Masses established in the Roman Missal, are assigned to each of the days of the week, namely: on Feria II [Monday] of the Angels, Feria III of the Holy Apostles (in Rome, however, of Saints Peter and Paul), Feria IV of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patron of the Catholic Church, Feria V of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, Feria VI of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Saturday of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

II. Let the Feast of the Commemoration of Saint Paul the Apostle on June 30, and that of the Holy Guardian Angels on October 2, be elevated from the rite of Duplex minor to the rite of Duplex maior for the whole universal Church.”

The votive office of the angels for feria II

The 1883 decree established a weekly structure of the Votive Offices:

This systematization showed that each day of the week has its own spiritual dimension. Monday, as the day of the angels, endured until the reform of the Liturgical Calendar after the Second Vatican Council (1969).

Elevation of the feast of the Guardian Angels

The elevation from “Duplex minor” to “Duplex maior” means:

• Greater liturgical solemnity: a proper Mass, First Vespers, Matins with 9 lessons (instead of 3)
• Greater frequency: the feast is not omitted when it occurs together with another saint
• Greater pastoral prominence: parishes were to celebrate it with greater solemnity
• Indulgences: a plenary indulgence possible for the faithful who take part (cf. Enchiridion Indulgentiarum)

Legacy

The 1883 decree is part of the Marian-angelic program of Leo XIII, which culminated in:

• September 1, 1883: Encyclical Supremi apostolatus officio on the Rosary – see post
• July 5, 1883: SCR Decree on the elevation of the Guardian Angels + Votive Office of the Angels
• October 13, 1884: Alleged vision of the Devil during private Mass
• 1886: Prayer to Saint Michael
• 1890: Exorcismus in Satanam

Further reading

Guardian Angels | Saint Michael the Archangel | Leo XIII Prayer to Saint Michael 1886 | Exorcismus in Satanam 1890

See our complete guide to Catholic Angelology.