Apostolic Letters – Page 9 – Antipope John XXIII

Image depicting Giovanni Roncalli (John XXIII) signing the Essendiae in urbe apostolic letter in a historic Essen sanctuary with a stained-glass window of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Essendiae in urbe (1959.07.08)

amdg / 2025-11-12

In this Latin act dated 8 July 1959, Giovanni Roncalli (John XXIII), in his first year as claimant to the papacy, issues the apostolic letter “Essendiae in urbe,” designating the Blessed Virgin Mary under the titles “Mother of Good Counsel” and “Our Golden Lady” (“Goldene Madonna”) as the principal heavenly patroness of the diocese of Essen. The text praises the industrious modern city, recalls the ancient Marian shrine and its governance by an abbess, and, invoking “apostolic” authority, formally confirms Mary under these invocations as Patroness with the usual liturgical privileges attached to a diocesan principal patron. From the perspective of integral Catholic doctrine, this apparently pious act is in reality an early and revealing seal of usurpation: a sentimental liturgical gesture used to cloak the illegitimacy of Roncalli’s authority and to insert the revolutionary conciliar sect into a historically Catholic sanctuary.

A reverent depiction of the historic Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad in Oaxaca, Mexico, elevated to a Minor Basilica, showcasing traditional Catholic devotion and Marian piety.

Apostolic Letters

Religionis domicilium (1959.07.17)

amdg / 2025-11-12

The Latin text published under the name of John XXIII, entitled “Religionis domicilium,” is a brief decree by which the Mexican shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Seven Sorrows, commonly called “Nuestra Señora de la Soledad” in Oaxaca (Antequera), is elevated to the rank of Minor Basilica. It recalls the crowning of the image authorized by St. Pius X in 1909 and, invoking “Apostolic” authority, grants the title, rights, and privileges associated with basilicas to this church, declaring all contrary acts null.

Zacatecas Cathedral interior with baroque architecture and traditional Catholic devotion

Apostolic Letters

Meritis celebratur (1959.07.17)

amdg / 2025-11-12

The Latin text under consideration is a brief act by John XXIII elevating the cathedral church of Zacatecas, dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to the rank and title of a minor basilica. It praises the baroque architecture, venerable images of Our Lady and the Crucified, the devotion of the faithful, the sufficiency of clergy, and the fittingness of sacred furnishings, and on that basis grants the church the juridical status and associated privileges of a minor basilica, with the usual canonical formulae of perpetuity.

Church of St Thérèse of the Child Jesus at Anzio elevated as a minor basilica in 1959, showcasing Romanesque architecture and traditional Catholic devotion.

Apostolic Letters

Rosas caelitus (1959.07.23)

amdg / 2025-11-12

The Latin text entitled “Rosas caelitus” (23 July 1959) is an apostolic brief of John XXIII, in which he confers the title and juridical privileges of a minor basilica on the church of St Thérèse of the Child Jesus at Anzio in the diocese of Albano. It praises the sanctuary’s architecture, treasures, relics, and popular devotion, especially invoking the protection attributed to Thérèse during wartime, and then, invoking “apostolic authority,” solemnly elevates the church, grants it associated rights, and annuls any contrary provisions. The entire text, seemingly modest and devotional, is in reality a juridical and symbolic consolidation of a new cultic orientation that prepares and manifests the rupture which will culminate in the conciliar revolution; it is a sugar-coated preface to the demolition of the visible structures of the Catholic Church.

Pilgrims praying at the shrine of the Madonna di Caravaggio in the Diocese of Caxias, Brazil.

Apostolic Letters

Praecipuo Beata Maria V. «Madonna di Caravaggio» (1959.07.30)

amdg / 2025-11-12

The document attributed to John XXIII proclaims that the so‑called “Madonna di Caravaggio” is to be recognized as the principal heavenly Patroness of the Diocese of Caxias (Brazil), grounding this decision on the alleged fervent Marian devotion of local faithful, the transplanted Italian cult, and the existing shrine at Farroupilha, while granting her all liturgical honors accorded to a diocesan principal Patron. Its polished Latin, canonical formulas, and sentimental Marian rhetoric veil the same poisoned root: the consolidation of the conciliar revolution’s counterfeit authority through the instrumentalization of an unapproved apparition cult and the manipulation of popular piety to anchor an emerging neo‑church in place of the Catholic Church.

Sherbrooke Cathedral's neo-gothic facade under soft natural light, symbolizing the false dignity of a minor basilica granted by a false pope.

Apostolic Letters

Quasi arx (1959.07.31)

amdg / 2025-11-12

The Latin document “Quasi arx,” issued on 31 July 1959 under the name of John XXIII, grants the title and liturgical privileges of a minor basilica to the cathedral church of Sherbrooke in Canada, dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel, praising its neo-gothic architecture, material splendour, and the piety of clergy and faithful, and solemnly decreeing the perpetuity of this new dignity.

A traditional Catholic bishop solemnly signing a decree declaring Our Lady of Guadalupe of Extremadura as the principal patroness of the Diocese of Imma Tellus and Point-à-Pitre in a reverent cathedral setting.

Apostolic Letters

Respice Stellam (1959.09.09)

amdg / 2025-11-12

The text issued under the name “Respice Stellam” (9 September 1959) is an act by John XXIII declaring the Marian title “Beata Maria Virgo de Guadalupe d’Estremadure” as principal patroness of the Diocese of Imma Tellus and Point-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) and titular of its cathedral. With a brief citation of St Bernard (“Respice stellam!”), it solemnizes pre-existing local devotion and grants the corresponding liturgical rights, in a tone of pastoral benevolence and apparent continuity with traditional Marian piety.

Portrait of St. John Bosco with Colombian youth apprentices and Cardinal Crisanto Luque, highlighting the tension between spiritual patronage and secular vocational training.

Apostolic Letters

IUVENTUTIS PRAECEPTOREM (1959.10.16)

amdg / 2025-11-12

Pietistic in tone and juridically formulated, this brief Latin decree of John XXIII’s first year declares St John Bosco heavenly patron of Colombian youth apprentices (the “Aprendices Colombianos” of SENA), linking him to an already granted patronage over Italian working youths, and clothing the act in the language of apostolic authority, liturgical privileges, and perpetual validity—yet precisely in its apparent harmlessness it reveals the transition from integral Catholic social kingship to sentimental, humanistic corporatism that prepares the conciliar revolution against the Kingship of Christ and the authentic mission of the Church.

Pope John XXIII holding a papal bull titled 'Beatam Mariam Virginem' with the abbey of New Norcia in Australia and statues of Mary and Saint Benedict in the background.

Apostolic Letters

BEATAM MARIAM VIRGINEM «A BONO CONSILIO» (1959.10.21)

amdg / 2025-11-12

The document attributed to John XXIII and issued on 21 October 1959 proclaims the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title “of Good Counsel” and Saint Benedict as principal heavenly patrons of the abbey nullius of New Norcia in Australia, granting them the liturgical honors and privileges due to primary patrons. In solemn canonical language it asserts full apostolic authority, perpetual validity, and nullity of all contrary attempts, presenting itself as an act of the Roman Pontiff exercising true jurisdiction over a portion of Christ’s flock.

A reverent depiction of the Marian shrine 'Nuestra Señora de la Consolación' in Táriba, Venezuela, with pilgrims praying before the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary.

Apostolic Letters

Solacium ac levationem (1959.10.23)

amdg / 2025-11-12

The Latin text issued under the name of John XXIII on 23 October 1959 grants the Marian shrine “Nuestra Señora de la Consolación” in Táriba, in the diocese of San Cristóbal (Venezuela), the title and privileges of a minor basilica. It praises the local Marian devotion, exalts alleged favors and “prodigious” graces received through the image, and, invoking “Apostolic” authority, solemnly elevates the church, decreeing the act to be perpetually valid and nullifying in advance any contrary attempt.