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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Are Canonisations Infallible?

Guest Author · March 12, 2018

ONCERNING the veneration of departed members of the faithful, modern Catholic practice distinguishes beati (“blessed” to whom only a restricted public veneration is permitted) and sancti (who are entitled to public cult throughout the entire Church). In the early Church this distinction was “almost, if not quite, unknown.” In the era of the “Enlightenment,” during the course of the XVIIIth century, the detailed procedures leading to what we know today as “canonization” were collected by the learned scholar or private “doctor” PROSPERO LAMBERTINI OF BOLOGNA (1675/1758) in his classic four-volume work De servorum Dei Beatificatione et Beatorum Canonizatione (Bologna 1734/38). Later, the author reigned as Pope Benedict XIV from 1740 to 1758. Two centuries later, the lengthy legal process of determining heroic virtue, the truth of two miracles, consultation of witnesses, medical and theological experts etc. set forth in Lambertini’s tomes was reformed by the will of Papa Wojtyla, indeed the very concept of “sanctity” was changed by the Apostolic Constitution Divinus perfectionis Magister of 29 January 1983 = AAS 75 (1983) 349/55.

It is important to note that though both Benedict XIV (whilst merely a private doctor) and John Paul II (whilst reigning Pope) issued administrative norms, none of these is of creedal stature, as an article of faith. Analogously to the case of “limbo” for unbaptized infants, canonization is not an article of Catholic faith which must be believed by all who would be Catholic. Both are in fact simply theological opinions.

The First Vatican Council in 1870 solemnly defined papal primacy of jurisdiction and the infallible Magisterium of the Pope under specific conditions which if not completely fulfilled render a pope’s teachings non-infallible, meaning not that they say something that is wrong or deceitful, but that they are subject to the possibility of error. The dogmas defined by Vatican I call for fides divina, and we must believe them by divine faith. Non-infallible acts, however, such as canonisations, call for fides ecclesiastica, ecclesiastical faith, meaning belief on the basis of the principle that the Church as a whole cannot err in matters of faith and morals. Here, as elsewhere, exceptions do not cancel the rule! Canonisations are NOT dogmas, because they do not propose a truth of faith or morals contained in Revelation which is a necessary condition for infallibility. Dogmatic definitions never involve a new doctrine of faith or morals, since whatever a Pope defines must be contained in Holy Writ or in Tradition in order to be infallible. This is not the case with canonization. It also explains why Canon Law (both 1917 and 1983 Codes) does not contain the “doctrine” of canonization, nor do the Catechisms of the Catholic Church both old and new. Canonisation aims at and deals with FACTS concerning human belief and action, which are facts connected (at best) only indirectly with dogma. Note par. 2 of the Instruction Ad tuendam fidem of the CDF dated 18 May 1998!

These considerations scarcely lead to a rational conclusion that one should “leave the Church” in response to the 27 April 2014 canonisations. * To do so would be dashing, but supremely witless: God is Truth Itself, and so faith transcends reason, and elevates it without contradicting it. O Lord, increase our faith!

***        

 

*   Original Title: The Thoughtful Theologian reflects on the canonisations of 27 April 2014 — originally published on 14 April 2014. Reprinted here without alterations.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Are Canonizations Infallible Last Updated: September 7, 2025

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President’s Corner

    Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
    The 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM was a transitional missal. It was on its way to becoming the 1970 version, but wasn’t there yet. It eliminated certain duplications, downplayed the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, expanded the role of laymen, minimized the Last Gospel, made many items optional, and so forth. Father Valentine Young spotted many typos in the 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM, especially incorrect accents. The Offertory Antiphon for this coming Sunday (OF kalendar) contains an error, citing the wrong verse from Psalm 118. It should be 118:107b, not 118:154. If you read verse 154, you’ll understand how that error crept in. [In this particular case, the error pre-dates the 1962 Missal, since the 1940s hand-missal by Father Lasance also gets it wrong.]
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 30th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 26 October 2025, which is the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Little Encouragement?
    In the Gospel, our Savior tells about 10 lepers who were healed. Only one went back to give thanks. Precious few express gratitude, yet many have endless energy to complain. For that reason, I deeply appreciate receiving messages like the following, which arrived a few days ago (about the parish where I direct in Michigan): “Last Sunday, a couple I knew from Grand Rapids was at Mass at 10:00 a.m. I got a chance to talk to them after Mass. I wanted to let you know what they said about the choir. They were absolutely floored by our sound!!!!! They both said they could continuously listen to our choir and the beauty of it. They asked me: “Do you always sound like that?” And they were also very surprised at how packed the church was. They said it was nice for them to be in such a full church. I just thought you would be interested to know their thoughts about our choir.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Like all other liturgical functions, like offices and ranks in the Church, indeed like everything else in the world, the religious service that we call the Mass existed long before it had a special technical name.

— Rev. Adrian Fortescue (1912)

Recent Posts

  • Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
  • “Music List” • 30th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
  • Little Encouragement?
  • Children’s Repertoire • Mueller’s Recommendations

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