Apostolic Letters – Page 12 – Antipope John XXIII

A Catholic priest kneels in prayer before a statue of Saint Joseph in a traditional Venezuelan church, reflecting deep devotion and reverence.

Vel in repositarum (1960.11.21)

amdg / 2025-11-10

In this Latin document dated 21 November 1960, John XXIII declares Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to be the “principal heavenly patron before God” of the newly erected diocese of Maracay in Venezuela. The text briefly recalls long-standing local devotion, notes the erection of the diocese by Pius XII in 1958, invokes the trials of the times, and, invoking “Apostolic” authority, confers on Saint Joseph the liturgical rights and privileges proper to a principal diocesan patron, ending with the usual formula of canonical firmness and nullification of contrary acts. From the standpoint of integral Catholic doctrine, this seemingly pious act is in truth a juridically void gesture of an intruder, the instrumentalization of Saint Joseph to cloak the nascent conciliar revolution with a false aura of continuity and thereby to anesthetize the faithful of Maracay to the approaching apostasy.

A Catholic bishop kneels in prayer before a statue of the Immaculate Conception in a Kenyan church, surrounded by devout African faithful.

Apostolic Letters

Virgo intaminata (1960.10.21)

amdg / 2025-11-10

The document attributed to John XXIII (Virgo intaminata, 21 October 1960) is a short Latin act by which he declares the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception as the principal heavenly patroness of the newly erected Diocese of Kisii in Kenya, at the request of Maurice M. Otunga. It employs lofty Marian language, invokes the extension of the “reign of Christ and Mary,” and grants the usual liturgical privileges to the new diocesan patroness, clothed in the formulaic assertions that this act is “firm, valid, and efficacious” and that anything contrary is null.

A traditional Catholic church interior showcasing the majestic architecture and Marian devotion of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Padua.

Apostolic Letters

Pietatis marialis (1960.10.07)

amdg / 2025-11-10

The document “Pietatis marialis,” dated 7 October 1960 and issued by John XXIII, grants the title and privileges of a Minor Basilica to the parish church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Padua, praising its Marian devotion, artistic value, architectural features, sufficiency of clergy, and liturgical decorum, and then, by alleged “apostolic” authority, elevates it juridically with the usual formulae of validity and perpetuity.

Solemn Catholic church interior with statues of St. Michael the Archangel, St. Joseph, and other saints reflecting traditional patronage decrees.

Apostolic Letters

Salubri ducti (1960.09.28)

amdg / 2025-11-10

The Latin text issued under the name of John XXIII on 28 September 1960 (“Salubri ducti”) formally confirms St Joseph and St Michael the Archangel as “co-principal patrons” of the diocese of Toluca, and St Francis of Assisi, St John Mary Vianney, and St Isidore the Farmer as its “secondary patrons,” granting them the usual liturgical rights and privileges and nullifying all contrary provisions.

The Immaculate Virgin Mary depicted in traditional Catholic iconography, standing before the Brazilian landscape of Divinópolis with the sanctuary of Conceição do Pará in the background.

Apostolic Letters

Virginis Immaculatae (1960.09.05)

amdg / 2025-11-10

The document attributed to John XXIII under the title “Virginis Immaculatae” (5 September 1960) declares the Immaculate Virgin Mary as the “principal heavenly Patroness” of the diocese of Divinópolis in Brazil, invoking the long-standing devotion of the faithful to the Immaculate Conception and granting the corresponding liturgical rights and privileges proper to a diocesan principal patron. It frames this act as a paternal response to the request of the local hierarchy and as a confirmation of traditional Marian piety rooted in belief in the Immaculate Conception even before its dogmatic definition.

Solemn transfer of Saint Venerius' relic by conciliar bishop Giuseppe Stella in a traditional Catholic procession.

Apostolic Letters

Probatum studium (1960.09.03)

amdg / 2025-11-10

The document attributed to John XXIII, issued as Apostolic Letters under the title “Probatum studium,” recounts how, at the request of Giuseppe Stella, holder of the conciliar titles “bishop” of La Spezia, Sarzana, and Brugnato, permission is granted to transfer the head of Saint Venerius from the church of St Peter in Reggio Emilia to a church in La Spezia dedicated to Saint Venerius, thereby fostering local devotion. It briefly recalls the saint’s life, the ancient translation of his relics for safekeeping from pirates, and, invoking apostolic authority, derogates earlier norms (including those of Clement VIII) to legitimise this new relocation, declaring the act firm, valid, and perpetually binding.

A traditional Catholic scene depicting John XXIII and Indian bishops in a grand church setting, symbolizing the tension between Catholic truth and modernist accommodation.

Apostolic Letters

Quod dilectum (1960.08.20)

amdg / 2025-11-10

This Latin letter attributed to John XXIII, titled “Quod dilectum,” addresses Valerian Gracias and the Indian hierarchy on the occasion of their quinquennial meeting. It praises demographic vitality and social development in India, extols Catholic institutional “service” (schools, hospitals, social works), urges formation of clergy and laity, commends episcopal coordination structures, and calls for unity, discipline, and lay apostolate in harmony with civil society’s progress. Behind its pious phrases, however, the text exemplifies the emerging naturalistic, horizontal, and politically compliant orientation that would soon explode at Vatican II — a programmatic displacement of the supernatural Kingship of Christ and the militancy of the Church by the humanitarian agenda of a conciliatory neo‑religion.

A reverent depiction of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows in a Guatemalan cathedral, symbolizing Catholic devotion before the conciliar revolution.

Apostolic Letters

CHRISTIANI POPULI (1960.08.18)

amdg / 2025-11-10

The document “Christiani Populi” (18 August 1960), issued by John XXIII as an apostolic letter, confirms the “Blessed Virgin Mary of the Seven Sorrows” as principal heavenly patroness of the Sololá diocese in Guatemala. It extols the traditional devotion to the Sorrowful Mother, notes its spread in that territory, and grants liturgical honors and privileges proper to a diocesan principal patroness, concluding with the standard juridical clauses of perpetuity and nullification of contrary acts.

Catholic procession in Cuttack honoring St. Vincent de Paul as patron, reflecting theological crisis under John XXIII's authority.

Apostolic Letters

Qui servatorem (1960.07.25)

amdg / 2025-11-10

In this brief Latin letter, John XXIII declares St Vincent de Paul the principal heavenly patron of the diocese and mission of Cuttack, praising the local devotion to the saint and especially his charity, and granting the corresponding liturgical honours and privileges to that territory. The entire act is presented as a pastoral encouragement that, under this patronage, “the Catholic cause” in that region may flourish.

St. Raphael the Archangel and St. John Mary Vianney in a traditional Catholic church, symbolizing divine protection and spiritual strength against modernist heresies.

Apostolic Letters

Expedit sane (1960.07.25)

amdg / 2025-11-10

The document attributed to John XXIII, titled “Expedit sane,” declares Raphael the Archangel as principal heavenly patron and John Mary Vianney as secondary patron of the (then) Archdiocese of Dubuque, grounding this choice in local historical references and invoking their intercession and example for the promotion of “Catholic life” in that territory. It appears benign and pious on the surface, yet it is a juridical and liturgical act issued by the first usurper of the Roman See, instrumentalizing authentic saints and an archangel to cloak the nascent conciliar revolution with a counterfeit aura of continuity and sanctity.