Pius XI – Litterae Apostolicae on the Vicariate of Kirin (1932): guardian angels as patrons (AAS 24)
On January 21, 1932, Pius XI promulgated Litterae Apostolicae constituting the Most Blessed Virgin Mary principal patroness of the Apostolic Vicariate of Kirin (Manchuria, China) and Saint Peter the Apostle and the Holy Guardian Angels as secondary patrons. Text in the primary source AAS vol. 24 (1932), p. 266. It is one of the numerous magisterial cases that show how the contemporary papal Magisterium institutionalized devotion to the Guardian Angels throughout the missionary world.
| Pope | Pius XI (Achille Ratti) |
| Document | Litterae Apostolicae “Plane compertum habemus” |
| Date | January 21, 1932 |
| Place | Apostolic Vicariate of Kirin (Manchuria, China) |
| Primary source | AAS vol. 24 (1932), p. 266 |
Original Latin text
VICARIATUS APOSTOLICI DE KIRIN PATRONA PRINCIPALIS B. M. V. CONSTITUITUR, PATRONI VERO SECUNDARII S. PETRUS APOSTOLUS ET SANCTI ANGELI CUSTODES
PIUS PP. XI
Ad perpetuam rei memoriam. Plane compertum habemus in última Synodo, quae in apostolico vicariatu de Kirin in Manciuria celebrata est, pluribus missionariis ac sacerdotibus indigenis adstantibus ditionis eiusdem, memorati vicariatus Beatissimam Virginem Mariam Patronam principalem ac Sanctum Petrum apostolum Sanctosque Angelos Custodes Patronos secundarios electos esse; proindeque congregatos in synodo eadem statuisse ut quotannis, die festo Assumptionis Deiparae in caelum, Beata Virgo Maria qua Patrona sollemniter recoleretur. Quod sane optimum inceptum ultro libenterque probamus…
English translation
The Apostolic Vicariate of Kirin is constituted with the Most Blessed Virgin Mary as principal patroness, and Saint Peter the Apostle and the Holy Guardian Angels as secondary patrons.
POPE PIUS XI
For perpetual remembrance. We have full knowledge that in the last Synod, celebrated in the Apostolic Vicariate of Kirin in Manchuria, with several missionaries and native priests of the same jurisdiction present, the Most Blessed Virgin Mary was chosen as principal Patroness and Saint Peter the Apostle and the Holy Guardian Angels as secondary Patrons of the said vicariate. Therefore, those gathered in the same Synod established that every year, on the day of the feast of the Assumption of the Mother of God into heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary should be solemnly celebrated as Patroness. We readily and willingly approve so excellent an undertaking…
The secondary patron: the guardian angels
The choice of the Guardian Angels as secondary patrons of an apostolic vicariate has a profound theological and pastoral significance:
- Biblical tradition: the Guardian Angels protect not only individuals but also nations and peoples (cf. Dan 10:13; 20-21: Michael the “prince” of the people of Israel)
- Patristic tradition: Origen developed the doctrine of the “angels of the nations” in the work Contra Celsum
- Recent Magisterium: John Paul II took up this doctrine in the Catecheses of 1986
- Missionary application: in mission territories, the Guardian Angels are especially invoked as protectors of the new Christians
Other vicariates with guardian angels as patrons
The case of Kirin was not unique. Before and after 1932, several apostolic vicariates chose the Guardian Angels as secondary patrons:
- Various apostolic vicariates in China (1920s-1940s)
- Apostolic vicariates in Central Africa (1930s-1950s)
- Apostolic prefectures in the Pacific (Polynesia, Micronesia)
- Numerous missionary dioceses in India
Historical context: the Church in Manchuria 1932
In 1932, Manchuria was separated from China by the Japanese Empire, creating the puppet state of Manchukuo. The Catholics of the region, served by the Vicariate of Kirin (created in 1898, founded by the Paris Foreign Missions Society, MEP), were living in delicate circumstances. Pius XI, sensitive to this situation, gave particular attention to Chinese pastoral care:
- 1922: Maximum Illud (Benedict XV) and Rerum Ecclesiae (Pius XI) on the missions
- 1924: General Council of the Church in China in Shanghai
- 1926: Pius XI consecrates the first six Chinese bishops
- 1932 (Kirin): this Litterae Apostolicae
- 1939: Beatification of the first Chinese martyrs
Legacy
Devotion to the Guardian Angels in Manchuria and China survived the Japanese invasion (1937-1945), the civil war (1946-1949), and communism (1949-present). The “underground” Catholic Church of China continues to invoke the Guardian Angels as national protectors. This document of 1932 is a primary historical source for the Mariology and angelology of the Asian missions.
Magisterial implications
Beyond the specific case of Kirin, this document shows that:
- The Guardian Angels can be invoked as patrons of territories (not only of individuals)
- The papal Magisterium can formalize this invocation with Litterae Apostolicae
- Devotion to the Guardian Angels is an integral part of missionary pastoral work
- In territories of persecution, the angelic invocation has a special meaning
Further reading
Guardian Angels | JP2 Catecheses 1986 | SCR 1883 Feast of the Guardian Angels | Saint Michael the Archangel
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