Pontifical Rite of Coronation
United Roman-Ruthenian Church


¶ The Supreme Pontiff arrives at the church in the mantum and camauro, with his attendants, one of which is carrying the ombrellino. He is received at the church door by the senior prelate of the Pontifical Court using the rite for Solemn Reception of a Bishop, and using the prayer for a Bishop being received in his cathedral for the first time. The Pontifical and Imperial Anthem, followed by Tu Es Petrus, followed by the Hallelujah Chorus are played at the arrival. Prelates in choral habit entitled to the cappa magna wear it for this rite. Cardinals and prelates of the Chapter, however, vest as for assisting at a solemn papal mass.
¶ The Supreme Pontiff shall process under the baldacchino. After the solemn reception, the Supreme Pontiff remains in the mantum and takes the jeweled mitre in the sacristy or the secretarium, during which time is sung the following psalms.

PSALM 47(48): Magnus Dominus
MAGNUS Dominus et laudabilis nimis,   in civitate Dei nostri, in     monte sancto ejus.
2 Fundatur exsultatione universæ terræ mons Sion;   latera aquilonis, civitas regis magni: Deus in domibus ejus cognoscetur cum suscipiet eam.
3 Quoniam ecce reges terræ congregati sunt;   convenerunt in unum.
4 Ipsi videntes, sic admirati sunt,   conturbati sunt, commoti sunt.
5 Tremor apprehendit eos;   ibi dolores ut parturientis:
6 In spiritu vehementi   conteres naves Tharsis.
7 Sicut audivimus, sic vidimus, in civitate Domini virtutum, † in civitate Dei nostri:   Deus fundavit eam in æternum.
8 Suscepimus, Deus, misericordiam tuam;   in medio templi tui.
9 Secundum nomen tuum, Deus, sic et laus tua in fines terræ;   justitia plena est dextera tua.
10 Lætetur mons Sion,   et exsultent filiæ Judæ,
propter judicia tua, Domine.
11 Circumdate Sion, et complectimini eam;   narrate in turribus ejus.
12 Ponite corda vestra in virtute ejus, et distribuite domos ejus,   ut enarretis in progenie altera.
13 Quoniam hic est Deus, Deus noster in æternum, et in sæculum sæculi:   ipse reget nos in sæcula.

PSALM 148: Laudate Dominum de caelis
LAUDATE Dominum de cælis;   laudate eum in excelsis.
2 Laudate eum, omnes angeli ejus;   laudate eum, omnes virtutes ejus.
3 Laudate eum, sol et luna;   laudate eum, omnes stellæ et lumen.
4 Laudate eum, cæli cælorum;   et aquæ omnes quæ super cælos sunt,
5 Laudent nomen Domini;   quia ipse dixit, et facta sunt;
ipse mandavit, et creata sunt.
6 Statuit ea in æternum, et in sæculum sæculi;   præceptum posuit, et non præteribit.
7 Laudate Dominum de terra,   dracones et omnes abyssi;
8 Ignis, grando, nix, glacies, spiritus procellarum,   quæ faciunt verbum ejus;
9 Montes, et omnes colles;   ligna fructifera, et omnes cedri;
10 Bestiæ, et universa pecora;   serpentes, et volucres pennatæ;
11 Reges terræ et omnes populi;   principes et omnes judices terræ;
12 Juvenes et virgines; senes cum junioribus, † laudent nomen Domini:   quia exaltatum est nomen ejus solius; confessio ejus super cælum et terram;
13  Et exaltavit cornu populi sui; † Hymnus omnibus sanctis ejus;   filiis Israël, populo appropinquanti sibi.

PSALM 64(65). Te decet hymnus
TE decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion,   et tibi reddetur votum in    Jerusalem.
2 Exaudi orationem meam;   ad te omnis caro veniet.
3 Verba iniquorum prævaluerunt super nos,   et impietatibus nostris tu propitiaberis.
4 Beatus quem elegisti et assumpsisti:   inhabitabit in atriis tuis.
Replebimur in bonis domus tuæ;   sanctum est templum tuum,
5 Mirabile in æquitate; † exaudi nos, Deus, salutaris noster,  
spes omnium finium terræ, et in mari longe.
6 Præparans montes in virtute tua,   accinctus potentia;
7 qui conturbas profundum maris,   sonum fluctuum ejus.
8 Turbabuntur gentes, et timebunt qui habitant terminos a signis tuis;  
exitus matutini et vespere delectabis.
9 Visitasti terram, et inebriasti eam;   multiplicasti locupletare eam.
10 Flumen Dei repletum est aquis;   parasti cibum illorum:
quoniam ita est præparatio ejus.
11 Rivos ejus inebria; multiplica genimina ejus:   in stillicidiis ejus lætabitur germinans.
12 Benedices coronæ anni benignitatis tuæ,   et campi tui replebuntur ubertate.
13 Pinguescent speciosa deserti,   et exsultatione colles accingentur.
14 Induti sunt arietes ovium,   et valles abundabunt frumento;
clamabunt, etenim hymnum dicent.

¶ The Supreme Pontiff, vested in the mantum and jeweled mitre, and with one chamberlain carrying the Staff of St. Stephen and another carrying the ferula, processes in the position of Celebrant. Bishops wear the mitre if in cope. The processional cross is carried immediately before the Supreme Pontiff by the Sub-Deacon of the Cross in the usual manner. Three train bearers are used for the archpatral falda. 
¶ Before the procession begins, the new Supreme Pontiff is announced by the senior Patriarchal elector as given below, where the senior prelate present (generally a Bishop) is waiting. Then the procession begins as usual for a mass with the psalm as given below. The Senior Prelate (usually the Dean of the Sacred College) then stands inside the chancel rail, the new Supreme Pontiff sits at the faldstool without, facing the altar. Other clergy are arrayed on either side of the Supreme Pontiff, outside the chancel rail.

Senior Elector.     Elegimus in Pontificatum Eminentissimum, Reverendissimum, ac Augustissimum Dominum N. Cardinalem N.

¶ During this procession, as the Supreme Pontiff, giving up the mitre, is brought forward by his household, the choir sings the following Psalm:

PSALM 121 (122): Laetatus sum
LAETATUS sum in his quae dicta sunt mihi;   in domum Domini
   ibimus.
2 Stantes erant pedes nostri in atriis tuis,   Hierusalem.
3 Hierusalem quae aedificatur   ut civitas cuius par ticipatio eius in id ipsum.
4 Illic enim ascenderunt tribus, † tribus Domini;   testimonium Israel ad confitendum nomini Domini.
5 Quia illic sederunt sedes in iudicium:   sedes super domum David.
6 Rogate quae ad pacem sunt Hierusalem; et abundantia diligentibus te.
7 Fiat pax in virtute tua;   et abundantia in turribus tuis.
8 Propter fratres meos;   et proximos meos loquebar pacem de te.
9 Propter domum Domini Dei nostri;   quaesivi bona tibi.

¶ The Senior Prelate gives up the mitre and says:

V. Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Oremus.
DIRIGE nos, Domine, in veritate. Super hunc famulum tuum, dominum et Patriarcam nostrum, Pater misericors, coelestem tuam effunde benedictionem. Super eum gratiam tuam mittere digneris ad ædificationem Ecclesiæ tuæ, et ad honorem, laudem, et gloriam Nominis tui.  Per Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen.

¶ The Supreme Pontiff then enters the chancel rail, followed by the other prelates. Non-prelatial clergy remain outside the chancel rail. The Supreme Pontiff shall kneel at the faldstool before the altar.
¶ Then the Electoral Proclamation (Pronuntium Electorale) is read by a clerk or notary in its entirety. It may then be inspected. The form for this is given in the supplement at the end of this section. After the reading and inspection, the Senior Prelate continues as given below.

Senior Prelate.            Deo gratias.

¶ Then shall the Senior Prelate say:

EMINENTISSIME, Reverendissime, et Augustissime Domine, vis Summus Pontifex hujus Ecclesiae Romanae Ruthenicae esse?

Supreme Pontiff.        Volo.

LITANY OF THE SAINTS

¶ Here the Supreme Pontiff shall kneel at the faldstool while everyone else kneels at their place during the Litany of the Saints. When the Litany reaches the verse Ut omnibus fidelibus defunctis, etc. the Senior Prelate rises with the mitre only and sings:  

UT hunc electum in Patriarcham coronandum bene+dicere digneris.
          R. Te rogamus, audi nos.

¶ And then sings:

UT hunc electum in Patriarcham coronandum bene+dicere, et conse+crare digneris. R. Te rogamus, audi nos.

¶ Then the Litany continues and concludes as usual without the versicles or orations. Then, all others kneeling, the Senior Prelate rises and sings the following:

PATER noster.... The rest silently until:
V. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem. R. Sed libera nos a malo. V. Salvum fac servum tuum, Domine. R. Deus meus sperantem in te. V. Esto ei, Domine, turris fortitudinis. R. A face inimici. V. Nihil proficiat inimicus in eo. R. Et filius iniquitatis non apponat nocere ei. V. Domine, exaudi orationem meam. R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. V. Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

Oremus.
PRAETENDE, Domine, hunc famulo tuo dexteram coelestis auxilii;  ut te toto corde perquirat, et quae digne postulat, consequi mereatur.

ACTIONES nostras, quaesumus, Domine, aspirando praeveni, et adjuvando prosequere; ut cuncta nostra oratio et operatio a te semper incipiat, et per te coepta finiatur. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen.

ENTHRONEMENT
   ¶ Here the Supreme Pontiff rises and proceeds with his attendants to the throne, sitting wearing the mitre. During this time the following psalm is sung by the choir:

PSALM 117(118): Confitemini Domino
CONFITEMINI Domino quoniam bonus:   quoniam in sæculum misericordia eius.
2 Dicat nunc Israel quoniam bonus:   quoniam in sæculum misericordia eius.
3 Dicat nunc domus Aaron:   quoniam in sæculum misericordia eius.
4 Dicant nunc qui timent Dominum:   quoniam in sæculum misericordia eius.
5 De tribulatione invocavi Dominum:   et exaudivit me in latitudine Dominus.
6 Dominus mihi adiutor:   non timebo quid faciat mihi homo.
7 Dominus mihi adiutor:   et ego despiciam inimicos meos.
8 Bonum est confidere in Domino, quam confidere in homine:
9 Bonum est sperare in Domino,   quam sperare in principibus.
10 Omnes gentes circuierunt me:   et in nomine Domini quia ultus sum in eos.
11 Circumdantes circumdederunt me:   et in nomine Domini quia ultus sum in eos.
12 Circumdederunt me sicut apes, et exarserunt sicut ignis in spinis:   et in nomine Domini quia ultus sum in eos.
13 Impulsus eversus sum ut caderem:   et Dominus suscepit me.
14 Fortitudo mea, et laus mea Dominus:   et factus est mihi in salutem.
15 Vox exultationis,   et salutis in tabernaculis iustorum.
16 Dextera Domini fecit virtutem:   dextera Domini exaltavit me, dextera Domini fecit virtutem.
17 Non moriar, sed vivam:   et narrabo opera Domini.
18 Castigans castigavit me Dominus:   et morti non tradidit me.
19 Aperite mihi portas iustitiæ,   ingressus in eas confitebor Domino:
20 Hæc porta Domini,   iusti intrabunt in eam.
21 Confitebor tibi quoniam exaudisti me:   et factus es mihi in salutem.
22 Lapidem, quem reprobaverunt ædificantes:   hic factus est in caput anguli.
23 A Domino factum est istud:   et est mirabile in oculis nostris.
24 Hæc est dies, quam fecit Dominus:   exultemus, et lætemur in ea.
25 O Domine salvum me fac:   O Domine bene prosperare:
26 Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.   Benediximus vobis de domo Domini:
27 Deus Dominus, et illuxit nobis.   Constituite diem solemnem in condensis, usque ad cornu altaris.
28 Deus meus es tu, et confitebor tibi: † Deus meus es tu, et exaltabo te.   Confitebor tibi quoniam exaudisti me: et factus es mihi in salutem.
29 Confitemini Domino quoniam bonus:   quoniam in sæculum misericordia eius.

IMPOSITION OF THE TIARA (TRIREGNUM)

¶ Here the Senior Prelate shall approach the throne and genuflect. The First Assistant Deacon removes the jeweled mitre and gives it to the Chaplain of the Mitre. The Senior Prelate then places the Archpatral tiara (triregnum) upon the head of the Supreme Pontiff with these words:

ACCIPE triregnum Ecclesiae Catholicae Ruthenae Romanae, Urbis Romae et Imperii Romani, Urbis Florentiae et Regni Russiae; et, Deo ducente, rege Ecclesiam hanc, rege duas urbes et Patriarchatum.

¶ Then a Chamberlain brings the ferual to the Supreme Pontiff, who holds it in the left hand. Genuflecting, the Senior Prelate brings the orb and places it in the right hand of the Patriarch, saying:

ACCIPE globum crucigerum et memento ut totus orbis terrarum subiectus est Christo. Ergo, rege populum tuum, et terram tuam.

¶ The Senior Prelate returns to his place and all sit for the following psalm. 

PSALTER
¶ All sit for the Psalm.     
PSALM 10(11): In Domino confido
IN Domino confido: quomodo dicitis animæ meæ:    Transmigra in montem sicut passer?
2 Quoniam ecce peccatores intenderunt arcum, † paraverunt sagittas suas in pharetra,   ut sagittent in obscuro rectos corde.
3 Quoniam quæ perfecisti, destruxerunt:   iustus autem quid fecit?
4 Dominus in templo sancto suo, Dominus in cælo sedes eius: † Oculi eius in pauperem respiciunt:   palpebræ eius interrogant filios hominum.
5 Dominus interrogat iustum et impium:   qui autem diligit iniquitatem, odit animam suam.
6 Pluet super peccatores laqueos:   ignis, et sulphur, et spiritus procellarum pars calicis eorum.
7 Quoniam iustus Dominus et iustitias dilexit:   æquitatem vidit vultus eius.

REVERENCE

¶ Then shall the Supreme Pontiff continue to sit at the throne with the tiara and the ferula, held by a chamberlain, the Senior Prelate taking the orb back to its place.
¶ Each member of the clergy shall, in order of rank, beginning with the senior, proceed from the choir to the throne, genuflect, then kneel, touch or kiss the right foot on the Supreme Pontiff and bow in the usual manner. Bishops wearing the mitre remove the same, as well as the zucchetto, before coming forward to the throne. Likewise, all clergy remove the biretta before coming forward. After the clergy has performed the reverence, the laity in the congregation may come forward and perform the reverence. During this time, appropriate psalms or hymns may be sung.
¶ After the reverence, the Supreme Pontiff processess to the secretarium or remains at the throne for the solemn vesting for the Divine Liturgy. He removes the tiara and takes the jeweled mitre. The tiara is not used during liturgy, and for the remainder of the mass it is kept in the sacristy or another suitable location within the sanctuary.
¶ There may then take place a second solemn procession to the altar for the mass, or the Supreme Pontiff may proceed straight from the throne or secretarium to the foot of the altar to begin mass as usual.
¶ After the mass is completed, the Supreme Pontiff again takes the tiara, the ferula (holding it personally), and the orb, and sits on the throne while all stand and the hymn Te Deum is sung. The Senior Prelate then sings:

AD multos annos.

¶ The above is sung twice more, each on a higher tone.
¶ This having been completed, the recessional hymn is sung while the Supreme Pontiff gives up the orb and the  procession forms to process out of the church in the same order in which it went in as usual.

 

[Pontifical Court]

[Main Page]