Pope Clement XI – *Commisi Nobis* (1708): The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is obligatory throughout the Church (Doctrina Pontificia IV, no. 204)

The Bull *Commissi Nobis* (December 6, 1708) by Clement XI

The Bull *Commissi Nobis* by Pope Clement XI is one of the most significant mariological decisions during the pontificate preceding Pius IX. By making the feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8) mandatory throughout the universal Church, the pope takes a decisive step towards the dogmatic definition of 1854.

Collection:

*Doctrina Pontificia IV: Documents Marian, no. 204*

Pope:

*Clement XI (1700-1721)*

Document:

*Bula Commissi Nobis, December 6, 1708*

Topic:

Making the feast of December 8 mandatory throughout the universal Church.

Context: The Issue of Obligatory Celebration

Prior to 1708, while the feast of the Immaculate Conception was celebrated in many places, it was not universally obligatory as a feast of precept for all Catholics. Some dioceses observed it as a free feast, while others made it mandatory locally. Clement XI standardized the practice: December 8 becomes a *feast of precept* for the entire Church.

Key Text from the Bull

> *”… *festum Immaculatae Conceptionis Beatissimae Virginis Mariae ab universis Christifidelibus… in posterum tanquam festum de praecepto observandum esse, declaramus, decernimus et mandamus; ita ut in eo Christifideles universi, sub peccati mortalis reatu, ab operibus servilibus abstineant, Missaeque sacrificio intersint”* > > We declare, determine, and command that the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is to be observed by all the faithful of Christ… in future as a feast of precept; so that in it all the faithful of Christ, under the penalty of mortal sin, abstain from servile works and participate in the sacrifice of Mass.”

Theological and Legal Significance

By making the feast *de praecepto* (of precept), Clement XI implicitly asserts that the Immaculate Conception is a matter of sufficiently certain faith to be the subject of universal mandatory celebration. It is not yet the dogmatic definition, but it is the liturgical equivalent: the entire Church celebrates as faith what has not yet been defined as dogma. This is the final step before Sixtus IV (1483), Alexander VII (1661), and Pius IX (1854) complete the process.

The Date: December 6

Significantly, the Bull is dated December 6, the eve of Saint Ambrose and two days before the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Clement XI intended for the document to be read and implemented in time for the next feast on December 8, 1708.

Liturgical Legacy

Clement XI’s decision has endured until today: December 8 remains a feast of precept for Catholics. Thus, *Commissi Nobis* in 1708 established the Marian liturgical calendar that all Catholics follow today.

Further Reading

Explore *Mariology*, *Ineffabilis Deus* (Pius IX, 1854), the article on *Clement IX to XI and the Rosary*, and *Post-Graduate Mariology*.

Learn more about the Immaculate Conception.