# The *Magnum Bullarium Romanum* (Roman Collection of Bulls)

The *Magnum Bullarium Romanum*, edited by Laerzio Cherubini in 1692 (5 volumes), is the most comprehensive collection of Papal Bulls prior to the establishment of the *Acta Sanctae Sedis* in 1865. It contains thousands of papal texts from Saint Leo the Great (5th century) to Innocent XII (1700). This post summarizes demonological and angelological references scattered throughout ancient Papal Bulls.

## Editor, Publication Date, and Volumes

– **Editor:** Laerzio Cherubini
– **Date of Publication:** 1692
– **Volumes:** 5 volumes (Vol 1: 5th-13th centuries; Vol 2: 14th-15th centuries; Vol 3: 16th century; Vol 4: Early 17th century; Vol 5: Late 17th century)
– **Location:** Mariologia Académica Libri (Google Drive)

## Structure and Importance

The *Magnum Bullarium Romanum* covers approximately 13 centuries of Papal magisterium:

– **Vol 1:** Saint Leo the Great (5th century) to Innocent III (12th century)
– **Vol 2:** 14th-15th centuries (Concils of Constance and Basel)
– **Vol 3:** 16th century (Council of Trent, Pope Pius V)
– **Vol 4:** Early 17th century (Paul V, Gregory XV, Urban VIII)
– **Vol 5:** Late 17th century (Innocent X, Alexander VII, Clement IX, X, XI)

## Demonological References in Ancient Bulls

### Victor III (1086-1087), “Members of the Devil” in Excommunication

*Vol 1, p. 70:* Excommunication of Henry IV by Pope Victor III includes a formula describing rebels against the Church as “**membra Diaboli**” (members of the Devil):

> *”…and his sins, and the sins of his sons, I strip him of all royal power and dignity, and their wickedness has made them members of the Devil against me, they have risen up in rebellion and have dared to shed blood against me with their hands…”*

This formula “**membra Diaboli**” (members of the Devil) is typical of medieval language to describe excommunicated individuals who persist in rebellion. It is a theological-legal use of the term “Devil” not merely as an entity but as a moral category.

### Innocent III (1198-1216), Bull on Santa Maria in Saxia Hospital

*Vol 1, p. 101:* A bull regarding the foundation of the Santa Maria in Saxia hospital in Rome, known as “**Hostiari Sancti Spiritus**”, for the poor and sick. The text includes references to Angels as “**companions**” of the patients.

### Martin V (1417-1431), Bull Convocating the Council of Constance

*Vol 1, p. 325:* A bull confirming the convocation of the Council of Constance, including a invocation of “**saints angels**” as protectors of the Council against the deceptions of the Devil.

### Pius II (1458-1464), Bull Renouncing Conciliar Errors

*Vol 1, p. 411:* A bull from Pope Pius II (Enea Silvio Piccolomini) renouncing his former conciliarist errors from the Council of Basel. The text contains a famous reference to “**innumerabiles chori spirituum**” (incontable choirs of spirits):

> *”…there are innumerable choirs of spirits, yet there is only one eternal King, God who created all things, and nothing has escaped His care…”*

This passage is one of the most beautiful formulations about angelic choirs, following the tradition of Pseudo-Dionysius Areopagita.

### Clement VII (1523-1534), Canonization of Saint Antonino of Florence

(Further details on this bull can be found in the original text)

**Vol 1, p. 652: Canonization Bull of Saint Anthony, Archbishop of Florence.** Includes mention of God’s **”mercy”** (misericórdias) against the **”works of the Devil”** (obras do Diabo). This is one of the earliest canonization bulls systematically referencing demonic action as context for sanctity.

**Other Important Bulls (Vol 2-5)**

**Bullarium t. XXI: Continuance of Clement XI 1700-1721**

The *Bullarium* T. XXI (continuation of the Magnum Bullarium) covers bulls from Clement XI (1700-1721) and subsequent pontiffs. It contains multiple bulls with angelic references:

– **p. 406:** Bull regarding convents with reference to saintly angels
– **p. 495:** Confirmation of the Congregation of the Devout Workers in Rome
– **p. 622:** Bull about Cleric Angelos Frano with mention of the **”Devil”** as a temptor
– **p. 797:** Bull on the Franciscan province of the Azores and Terceira islands
– **p. 933:** Clement XI’s bull on Golden Cavalry indulgences with liturgical references

**Demonological Patterns in Papal Bulls**

Analyzing the Magnum Bullarium, recurring patterns emerge in referring to the Devil in papal bulls:

– **”Members of the Devil”** (Membra Diaboli): formula for excommunicated individuals (especially medieval)
– **”Devil’s cunning”** (Diaboli astutia): used to describe heresies and doctrinal errors
– **”Temptation of the Devil”** (Tentatio Diaboli): formula for spiritual trials
– **”Devil’s snare”** (Diaboli laqueus): image of the Devil’s trap in spiritual language
– **”Devil’s slaves”** (Diaboli mancipia): those severely excommunicated, considered slaves to the Devil

**Angelic Patterns in Papal Bulls**

– **”Saintly Angel Protectors”** (Sancti Angeli protegentes): angels protecting institutions
– **”Guard Angels of the Faithful”** (Angelorum custodes): Angels of the Guard for believers
– **”Choirs of Angels”** (Chori spirituum)
– **”Patronage of Saint Michael”** (Michaelis Archangeli patrocinium): protection offered by St. Michael
– **”Uncountable Heavenly Armies”** (Innumerabiles caelestes): uncountable celestial armies

# Medieval/Modern Era vs. Post-Conciliar Era (1965+)

## Magisterial Meaning

The *Magnum Bullarium Romanum* demonstrates that:

1. References to the Devil and angels are integral to the magisterial language throughout history.
2. The intensity of demonological language varies depending on the context (more frequent in anti-heresy bulls).
3. Devotion to angels is present in various contexts, such as canonizations, religious foundations, and indulgences.
4. There is clear dogmatic continuity between the *Magnum Bullarium* and modern documents.

## Recommended Reading

– Denzinger – Systematic Index of Definitions Dogmatic and Theological (Angels and Demons)
– ASS, AAS, and Mansi – Indexes of Official Collections of the Magisterium Catholic
– Fourth Lateran Council (1215) – *Firmiter Credimus* on Angels and Demons
– Exorcism in Satanam (1890) – Full Text from ASS 23

“The Great Roman Bull (Cherubini, 1692) and Volume XXI of the Bullarium – Demonic References and Angelic Peace in Medieval and Modern Bulls.”

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