Privileged altar

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Privileged side altar in the Karlskirche in Volders

A privileged altar ( Latin : altare privilegiatum ) was an altar in a Catholic church that was awarded a defined indulgence privilege or at which the celebration of a holy mass was reserved for clerics with special privileges ( altar privilege ). All privileges were revoked in the course of the liturgical reform after the Second Vatican Council .

Holy masses for the deceased and votive masses

Celebrated a priest at one altars privilegiatum Holy Mass, he was the in the intention imaginary dead a perfect drain turn. The privilege was limited in time ( ad tempus ) or indefinitely ( in perpetuum ), daily ( quotidianum ) or only on certain days of the year. The privilege quotidianum in perpetuum was conferred by the Holy See or by another competent authority ( bishop , abbot , prelate nullius , superior , etc.) ( CIC 1917 , can. 916). On certain days ( forty-hour prayer , All Souls' Day ) it could be extended to all altars of a church (CIC 1917, can. 917). The privileged altar was marked with the inscription altare privilegiatum and the corresponding addition (CIC 1917, can. 918). The privilege was granted by Pope Paul VI. repealed by the Apostolic Constitution Indulgentiarum doctrina of January 1, 1967.

On some privileged altars, a certain votive mass was allowed to be celebrated every day. This regulation ceased to exist with the publication of the General Introduction to the Roman Missal , as the provisions for the celebration of votive masses were relaxed.

Celebration in a patriarchal basilica

The celebrations at the main altars of the papal patriarchal basilicas were reserved for the Pope alone. With the Apostolic Letter Peculiare ius of February 8, 1966, this privilege was extended to include bishops , who have since been able to celebrate Holy Mass there with groups of pilgrims.

literature