1846 POPE PIUS IX ORDERS REQUIEM MASSES FOR POPE GREGORY XVI

CARDINAL MASTAI-FERRETTI - ON HIS WAY TO ROME FOR THE CONCLAVE
AND SOON TO BE ELECTED POPE PIUS IX -
ISSUES A CIRCULAR FOR  REQUIEM MASSES
 TO BE SAID FOR POPE GREGORY XVI

THIS DOCUMENT IS COVERED BY OUR WRITTEN, SIGNED AND SEALED
LIFETIME GUARANTEE OF AUTHENTICITY

His Eminence Giovanni Maria Giambattista Pietro Pellegrino Isidoro Cardinal conte Mastai-Ferretti, Cardinal Priest of Santi Marcellino e Pietro, Bishop of Imola, with the title of Archbishop ad personam, was elected Bishop of Rome on 16 June 1846 in the Quirinal Apostolic Palace, taking the name Pius IX, and was crowned on 21 June, at the age of 54 years.

This wonderful and timely Notice dated June 4, 1846 was sent to the Prior at San Nicolò directing Requiem Masses to be said for Pope Gregory XVI who had just died on June 1, 1846. What is particularly interesting about this notice is that as it was being printed and circulated, Cardinal Priest Mastai-Ferretti, Bishop of Imola, Cardinal Priest of Santi Pietro e Marcellino, was either on his way, or, already in Rome for the Conclave to elect a new Pope. There were two primary contenders as the liberal and conservative factions each maneuvered to elect their candidate. The conservatives supported Cardinal Luigi Lambruschini, Gregory XVI's secretary of state. Liberals supported Cardinal Pasquale Tommaso Gizzi. Neither side was able to reach a majority; they elected Cardinal Mastai-Ferretti as a compromise and he chose the name Pius IX.

Pope Pius IX (May 13, 1792 – February 7, 1878), born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, reigned as Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from his election in June 16, 1846, until his death more than 31 years later in 1878, making him the longest-reigning Pope since the Apostle St. Peter. Leo XII had created him Archbishop of Spoleto in May of 1827. In 1831, when 4000 Italian revolutionists from an abortive rebellion fled before the Austrian army and threatened to fall upon Spoleto, the archbishop persuaded them to lay down their arms and disband, induced the Austrian commander to pardon them for their treason, and gave them sufficient money to reach their homes. On 17 February, 1832, Gregory XVI transferred him to the more important Diocese of Imola and on 14 December 1840 created him Cardinal Priest with the titular church of Santi Pietro e Marcellino. He retained the Diocese of Imola until his elevation to the papacy. His great charity and amiability had made him beloved by the people, while his friendship with some of the revolutionists had gained for him the name of liberal. The diocesan process for his canonization was initiated on 11 February 1907 by Pope St. Pius X, his heroic virtues were proclaimed on 6 July 1985 by Pope John Paul II, and he was beatified on 3 September 2000 by the same Roman Pontiff. His feast is kept on 7 February.

Front of Cover

 
Reverse of Cover

Postal Markings:
Delivery under the seal
 of the Bishop of Imola
(Vescovato d'Imola)

Marked "d'uff"
meaning Official Business

l
Bird over 3 demi-circles watermark
[colour enhanced to show image]

Document Specifications:  Wove Paper with Script watermark "FAS" and Bird over three half circles within a circle Letter is one folded sheet (bifolium) into four pages. One page is address panel and one page contains the printed circular. Two pages are blank. a single page measures: 195mm wide x 270mm tall. Circular contains directive notation to: The Very Reverend Father, Prior of San Nicolò and is signed in printed text: "G. M. CARD. ARCIVESCOVO VESCOVO" and dated 4 June 1846. It is written in Italian. Condition: Extremely Fine. A Wonderful and Scarce opportunity to own a piece of Papal History during an Interregnum, all the more delightful as it was issued by the very cardinal who was to become, within the week, Pope Pius IX.

 Offered by Berryhill & Sturgeon, Ltd.

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