Benedict XIII and Clement XII – the Rosary and Marian devotion in the eighteenth century (Doctrina Pontificia IV, nn. 205-208)
The pontificates of Benedict XIII (1724-1730) and Clement XII (1730-1740) are the two pontificates of the first third of the eighteenth century. Benedict XIII, a fervent Dominican, is the pope of the meditated Rosary and of the Dominican confraternities; Clement XII, despite a pontificate marked by progressive blindness, confirmed the traditional Marian devotions.
| Collection | Doctrina Pontificia IV: Marian Documents, nn. 205-208 |
| Popes | Benedict XIII (1724-1730) | Clement XII (1730-1740) |
| Period | 1724-1740 |
Benedict XIII (1724-1730), nn. 205-208
Benedict XIII (Pietro Francesco Orsini) was a Dominican cardinal for forty years before being elected pope. His devotion to the Rosary was special and personal. His four Marian documents are:
- n. 205, Brief “Essendo stato commesso” (September 26, 1724): Written in Italian (a papal rarity), this brief on the Confraternity of the Rosary of Saint Dominic reflects the personal devotion of the Dominican pope. Benedict XIII calls the Rosary a “catena aurea” (golden chain) that binds the devout to Mary and through Mary to Christ.
- n. 206, Brief “Ex quo” (April 1, 1727): On the devotion of the Rosary in the missions of Asia and Latin America
- n. 207, Decree (April 22, 1727): Approval of the Proper Office of the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7)
- n. 208, Invocation (1729): A personal prayer of Benedict XIII to Mary, a rare document of personal papal spirituality, not intended for official publication but preserved in the archives
«Rosarium Mariae, quod veluti catena aurea coelum terramque coniungit, prae ceteris piis exercitationibus commendandum esse non dubitamus»
• We do not doubt that the Rosary of Mary, which like a golden chain unites Heaven and earth, must be recommended above the other pious exercises.
Clement XII (1730-1740)
Clement XII, who went blind in 1732 and governed the Church during the last eight years of his pontificate practically confined to his bed, confirmed the existing Marian devotions and approved new Marian feasts in the dioceses that requested them. Despite his physical limitations, he maintained the pontifical tradition of support for Marian devotion.
Further reading
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