Part 78 (2/2)
(_b_) _Liber Diurnus Romanorum Pontific.u.m_, n. 58.
Notification to the Emperor of an Election of a Pontiff.
The _Liber Diurnus_ was the book of official formul used on occasions such as elections of pontiffs and the conferring of the pallium. It was composed between 685 and 751, and was employed in the papal chancellery down to the eleventh century, when it became antiquated on account of the changes in the position of the popes.
The modern editions of the book are by Rozire, Paris, 1869, and by Sickel, Vienna, 1889. The text may be found in Mirbt, n. 195, where may also be found numerous other useful extracts.
Although it has not been without the merciful divine ordering that, after the death of the supreme pontiff, the votes of all should agree in the election of one, and that there be perfect harmony so that no one at all is to be found who would oppose it, it is yet necessary that we ought obediently to pour forth the prayers of our pet.i.tions to our most serene and most pious lord, who is known to rejoice in the concord of his subjects, and graciously to grant what has been asked by them in unanimity. And so when our Pope (_name_) of most blessed memory died, the a.s.sent of all was given, by the will of G.o.d, to the election of (_name_), the venerable archdeacon of the Apostolic See, because from the beginning of his life he had so served the same church, and in all things shown himself so able that he ought deservedly to be placed, with the divine approval, over the ecclesiastical government, especially since by his constant a.s.sociation with the aforesaid most blessed pontiff (_name_), he has been able to attain to the same distinctions of so great merit, by which the same prelate of holy memory is known to have been adorned, who by his words always stirred up his mind, being desirous of heavenly joys, so that whatsoever good we have lost in his predecessor we are confident that we have certainly found in him. Therefore, in tears, all we your servants pray that the piety of the lords may deign to hear the supplication of their servants, and the desires of their pet.i.tioners may be granted by the command of their piety, for the benefit of the Empire, that command may be given for his ordination; so that when we have been placed by your sacred and exalted clemency under him as our pastor, we may always pray for the life and empire of our most serene lords to the Lord Almighty and to the blessed Peter, prince of the Apostles, to whose church it has been granted that a worthy ruler be ordained.
Subscription of the priests.
I (_name_), by the mercy of G.o.d, presbyter of the holy Roman Church, consenting to this action made by us in regard to (_name_), the venerable archdeacon of the holy Apostolic See and our elected Pope, have subscribed.
Subscription of the laity.
I (_name_), servant of your piety, consenting to this action drawn up by us in regard to (_name_), the venerable archdeacon of the holy Apostolic See and our elected Pope, have subscribed.
(_c_) _Liber Diurnus Romanorum Pontific.u.m_, ch. 60.
Notification of the Election of a Pontiff to the Exarch of Ravenna.
The text may be found in part in Mirbt, _loc. cit._
To the most excellent and exalted lord, graciously to be preserved to us for a long life in his princely office (_name_), exarch of Italy, the priests, deacons, and all the clergy of Rome, the magistrates, the army, and the people of this city of Rome as suppliants send greeting.
Providence is able to give aid in human affairs and to change the weeping and groaning of the sorrowing into rejoicing.
Inasmuch as (_name_), of pontifical memory, has been called from present cares to eternal rest, as is the lot of mortals, a great load of sorrow oppressed us, for as guardians we were deprived of our own guardian. But the accustomed kindness of our G.o.d did not permit us to remain long in this affliction because we hoped in Him. For after we had humbly spent three days in prayer that the heavenly kindness might, for the merits of all, make known whom as worthy it commanded to be elected to succeed to the apostolic office, with the aid of His grace which inspired the minds of all; and after we had a.s.sembled as is customary, that is, the clergy and the people of Rome with the presence of the n.o.bility and the army, from the least to the greatest, so to speak; and the election, with the help of G.o.d and the aid of the holy Apostles, fell upon the person of (_name_), the most holy archdeacon of this holy Apostolic See of the Roman Church. The good and chaste life of this man, beloved of G.o.d, was in the opinion of all so deserving that none opposed his election, no one was absent, and none dissented from it. For why should not men agree unanimously upon him whom the incomparable and unfailing providence of our G.o.d had foreordained to this office? For without doubt this had been determined upon in the presence of G.o.d. So solemnly performing his decrees and confirming with our signatures the desires of hearts concerning his election, we have sent you our fellow-servants as the bearers of this letter (_names_), most holy bishop (_name_), venerable presbyter (_name_), regionary notary (_name_), regionary subdeacons (_names_), honorable citizens, and from the most flouris.h.i.+ng and successful Roman army (_name_), most eminent consul, and (_names_) chief men, tribunes of the army, begging and praying together that your excellency, whom may G.o.d preserve, may with your accustomed goodness agree with our pious choice; because he, who has been unanimously elected by our humility, is such that so far as human discernment is able to see, no spot of reproach appears in him. And therefore we beg and beseech you, by G.o.ds inspiration, to grant our pet.i.tion quickly, because there are many questions and other matters arising daily which require for remedy the care of pontifical favor. And the affairs of the province and the need of causes connected therewith also seek and await the control of due authority. Besides we need some one to keep the neighboring enemy in check, which can only be done by the power of G.o.d, and of the Prince of the Apostles through his vicar, the bishop of Rome; since it is well known that at various times the bishop of Rome has driven off enemies by his warnings, and at other times he has turned aside and restrained them by his prayers; so that by his words alone, on account of their reverence for the Prince of the Apostles, they have offered voluntary obedience, and thus they, whom the force of arms had not overcome, have yielded to the warnings and prayers of the Pope.
Since these things are so, we again and again beseech you, our exalted lord, preserved by G.o.d, that, with the aid and inspiration of G.o.d in your heart, you may quickly give orders to adorn the Apostolic See by the completed ordination of the same, our father. And we, your humble servants, on seeing our desires fulfilled, may then give unceasing thanks to G.o.d and to you, and with our spiritual pastor, our bishop, enthroned in the Apostolic Seat, we may pour out prayers for the life and health and complete victories of our most exalted and Christian lords (_names_), the great and victorious emperors, that the merciful G.o.d may give manifold victories to their royal courage, and cause them to triumph over all peoples, and that G.o.d may give them joy of heart, because the ancient rule of Rome has been restored. For we know that he whom we have elected Pope can, with his prayers, influence the divine omnipotence; and he has prepared a joyful increase for the Roman Empire, and he will aid you in this, in the government of this province of Italy, which is subject to you, and will aid and protect all of us, your servants, through many years.
Subscription of the priests.
I, (_name_), the humble archpriest of the holy Roman Church, have with full consent subscribed to this doc.u.ment which we have made concerning (_name_), most holy archdeacon, our bishop elect.
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