amdg – Page 64 – Antipope John XXIII

Cardinal Manuel Gonçalves Cerejeira as papal legate at the inauguration of Brasília in 1960, surrounded by clergy and modernist architecture.

Publicae utilitatis (1960.03.10)

amdg / 2025-11-09

The Latin letter under consideration is a brief missive of John XXIII, appointing Manuel Gonçalves Cerejeira as his legate for the inauguration and “dedication” of the newly built Brazilian capital, Brasília. It praises Brazil for wishing to surround this political project with sacred ceremonies, urges that the new city become a beacon of “Christian humanism,” concord, justice, hospitality, festivity, and peace, and confers an “apostolic blessing” upon the celebrations. It is a polished, optimistic benediction of a modern state-capital, couched in religious language yet wholly subordinate to secular categories. In reality, this document is a concise manifesto of naturalistic civic religion, revealing the nascent conciliar sect’s abdication of the Kingship of Christ and its willingness to anoint the emerging Masonic world-order.

A solemn Eucharistic Congress in Curitiba, Brazil, with Cardinal Jaime de Barros Cámara as the papal legate of John XXIII, depicting faithful Catholics in traditional attire adoring the Blessed Sacrament.

Letters

A A A LA IOANNES PP. XXIII (1960.03.05)

amdg / 2025-11-09

In this Latin letter of 5 March 1960, John XXIII delegates Cardinal Jaime de Barros Câmara as his legate to the National Eucharistic Congress in Curitiba (Curitybae), Brazil. The text exhorts Brazilians to fervent devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, presenting the Eucharist as “the summit of Christ’s marvels,” “the banner of unity, the bond of peace, the food of charity,” and as the foundation for moral life, family, schools, public institutions, and laws, since “no one can lay another foundation than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus” (1 Cor 3:11). It cloaks the Brazilian nation with ornate praise and expresses confidence that Eucharistic piety will safeguard Catholic religion and social order.

Aloisius Josephus Muench as papal legate in Malta during a commemoration of St. Paul's shipwreck, highlighting traditional Catholic piety and the tension with conciliar changes.

Letters

UNDEVIGINTI SAECULA (1960.03.03)

amdg / 2025-11-09

John XXIII’s Latin letter “Undeviginti saecula” is a brief appointment of Aloisius Josephus (Aloisius Joseph Muench) as papal legate to preside over celebrations in Malta commemorating nineteen centuries since the shipwreck of St Paul. The text extols Malta’s natural gifts, praises its traditional fidelity to the Catholic faith, recalls St Paul as planter of that faith, and exhorts that all private and social life in Malta rest on the foundation which St Paul laid: Jesus Christ. It concludes with an apostolic blessing.

Antipope John XXIII presenting a letter to Archbishop Antonio Caggiano in a grand cathedral setting.

Letters

Quoniam ab episcopali (1960.03.11)

amdg / 2025-11-09

This Latin letter, issued by Antipope John XXIII to Antonio Caggiano on the 25th anniversary of his episcopal consecration, is a short panegyric. It:
– Praises Caggiano’s government of Rosario: multiplication of parishes, construction of a seminary, promotion of religious formation, organization of lay apostolate.
– Commends his role in shaping Catholic Action in Argentina “according to the wishes of the Roman Pontiffs”.
– Extols his transfer to Buenos Aires and encourages him to continue his pastoral zeal.
– Grants him the faculty to impart, in John XXIII’s name, a blessing with plenary indulgence on the occasion of the jubilee.
All of it is wrapped in courtly phrases of paternal benevolence and institutional self-congratulation, without a single word of doctrinal combat against Modernism, Communism, naturalism, or the growing global apostasy.

St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac depicted in a traditional Catholic setting, surrounded by Daughters of Charity, engaging in acts of charity with a subtle reference to antipope John XXIII's manipulation.

Letters

Cum tria saecula (1960.02.20)

amdg / 2025-11-09

In this Latin letter dated 20 February 1960, antipope John XXIII addresses William Slattery, superior general of the Congregation of the Mission, on the 300th anniversary of the deaths of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac. He recalls his own devotion to these saints, praises their charity, exalts the Vincentian and Daughters of Charity works as a vast global network of social and charitable initiatives, and urges renewed commitment to organized charitable action adapted to modern circumstances, especially in the face of technological progress, social coldness, and global interdependence. He frames Vincentian charity as a unifying, pacifying force for humanity and concludes with an “apostolic” blessing as encouragement to imitate their example.

A reverent scene inside the Lateran Basilica depicting clerics and laity gathered for a solemn synod meeting.

Speeches

Chirographum quo prima Romanae Dioecesis Synodus indicitur (1960.01.16)

amdg / 2025-11-09

The brief Latin chirograph of John XXIII (16 January 1960) announces the convocation of the “First Synod” of the Diocese of Rome, to be held in the Lateran Basilica on 24 January 1960. It invokes the Holy Ghost, appeals to the example of the Eternal City, and sets three aims: that Catholic faith “revive more and more,” that Christian morals take “salutary growth,” and that the discipline of clergy and people be adapted and strengthened in response to “the needs of our age,” all under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Salus Populi Romani” and the Roman patron saints, to be held “by Our authority.”

A reverent depiction of St. Joseph Cafasso in a traditional Catholic setting, highlighting his unwavering faith and opposition to liberal tendencies.

Letters

Ioannes XXIII and the Cult of Clerical Sentimentality (1959.12.16)

amdg / 2025-11-09

The letter of Ioannes XXIII to Maurilio Fossati on the commemorations of St Joseph Cafasso is a brief panegyric: it praises Cafasso as a model priest, educator of clergy, consoler of prisoners and the condemned, and uses his centenary as an occasion to exalt priestly associations under episcopal guidance as supports of holiness, patience, diligence, and social healing, culminating in a wish that “the law and love of Christ” safeguard individuals and communities, sealed with the so‑called “Apostolic Blessing.” From the perspective of integral Catholic teaching, this apparently pious text is a polished veil: a clericalist, sentimental manifesto of the nascent conciliar sect, exploiting an authentic saint to legitimize a new, man-centred, naturalistic religion.

A reverent depiction of Saint Paul's arrival in Rome, welcomed by the Roman faithful on the Via Appia.

Apostolic Letters

S. Paulus Apostolus (1959.12.15)

amdg / 2025-11-09

John XXIII’s letter “S. Paulus Apostolus” (15 December 1959) is a brief exhortation addressed to Caesarius D’Amato, encouraging commemorations of the 19th centenary of Saint Paul’s arrival in Rome. It praises the Roman faithful who welcomed the Apostle, urges solemn celebrations and conferences to honour Paul’s person, doctrine, and martyrdom, and stresses Rome’s unique glory in having Peter and Paul as its teachers and relics. It calls it “immane et vituperabile” (enormous and blameworthy) to oppose or despise the light of the Catholic faith brought by Paul, and concludes with a benign wish that these festivities deepen Christian life and devotion.

Venerable Brother Clemente Micara being congratulated by John XXIII in a traditional Catholic setting.

Letters

Octogesimum mox (1959.12.12)

amdg / 2025-11-09

Venerable Brother Clemente Micara is congratulated by John XXIII on reaching his eightieth year. The letter briefly recounts Micara’s curial and diplomatic career, praises his loyalty to the Roman See and diligence in various offices, commends his rebuilding work in the war-damaged diocese of Velletri and his functioning as Vicar of Rome, and ends with a paternal blessing and wishes for divine assistance. In its apparent harmlessness and sugary rhetoric, this text perfectly reveals the self-referential, purely human horizon of the new regime that had already begun to displace the Catholic Church.

Portrait of Bishop Melchior Giedraitis in traditional liturgical vestments, surrounded by faithful Lithuanian Catholics in a historic church.

Letters

A A A ES – IOANNES XXIII (1959.12.08)

amdg / 2025-11-09

This Latin letter, dated 8 December 1959 and signed by John XXIII, is addressed to the bishops of Lithuania on the 350th anniversary of the death of Bishop Melchior Giedraitis. It recalls Giedraitis as a zealous Catholic pastor, praises the Lithuanian clergy and faithful for their perseverance under persecution, laments the anti-religious measures of the communist regime, and exhorts bishops, priests, parents, and youth to fidelity to the faith, to the sacraments, and to devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Šiluva.

Author name: amdg