The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (Congregatio de Cultu Divino et Disciplina Sacramentorum) is the congregation of the Roman Curia that handles most affairs relating to liturgical practices of the Latin Catholic Church as distinct from the Eastern Catholic Churches and also some technical matters relating to the Sacraments. Cardinal Francis Arinze is the Cardinal Prefect, Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith Penbage Don is the Secretary, and Father Anthony Ward, S.M., is Under-secretary. A congregation is a type of dicastery of the Roman Curia, the central administrative organism of the Catholic Church. ... The Roman Curia — usually called the Vatican — is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See, coordinating and providing the necessary organisation for the correct functioning of the Catholic Church and the achievement of its goals. ... The Eastern Catholic Churches are autonomous particular Churches in full communion with the Pope of Rome. ... Francis Cardinal Arinze. ... In Christianity, an archbishop is an elevated bishop. ... Archbishop Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don, more commonly known as Malcolm Ranjith, is presently the Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments of the Catholic Church. ...

It is the direct successor of the Sacred Congregation for the Discipline of the Sacraments (Sacra Congregatio de Disciplina Sacramentorum) (1908-1969).

In 1975 it was given the title Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship (Congregatio de Sacramentis et Cultu Divino) and incorporated the functions of the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship (Sacra Congregatio pro Cultu Divino) which had been created in 1969 to take on responsibility for the liturgical affairs previously handled by the Sacred Congregation of Rites (Sacra Rituum Congregatio) (1588-1969).

For an interlude in 1984-1988 it was briefly redivided into the Congregation for the Sacraments (Congregatio de Sacramentis) and the Congregation for Divine Worship (Congregatio de Cultu Divino), under one and the same Prefect.

The Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus, issued by Pope John Paul II on June 28 1988 lays down the functions of the congregation, including: Pastor Bonus is an Apostolic Constitution promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 28 June 1988. ... Coat of Arms of Pope John Paul II. The Letter M is for Mary, the mother of Jesus, to whom he held strong devotion Pope John Paul II (Latin: , Italian: Giovanni Paolo II, Polish: Jan PaweÅ‚ II) born   []; 18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005) reigned as the 264th Pope of... is the 179th day of the year (180th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

the regulation and promotion of the liturgy, primarily of the sacraments

the regulation of the administration of the sacraments, especially regarding their valid and licit celebration

promoting liturgical pastoral activity, especially regarding the celebration of the Eucharist

the drawing up and revision of liturgical texts

reviewing particular calendars and proper texts for the Mass and the Divine Office

granting the recognitio to translations of liturgical books and their adaptations

promoting the liturgical apostolate or sacred music, song or art

ensuring that liturgical norms are accurately observed, and that abuses are avoided and eliminated where they are found to exist.

examining the fact of non-consummation in a marriage and the existence of a just cause for granting a dispensation.

examining cases concerning the nullity of ordination.

regulating the cult of relics, the confirmation of heavenly patrons and the granting of the title of minor basilica

giving assistance to bishops so that the prayers and pious exercises of the Christian people may be fostered and held in high esteem

A liturgy is the customary public worship of a religious group, according to their particular traditions. ... In Christian belief and practice, a sacrament is a rite that mediates divine grace, constituting a sacred mystery. ... For other uses, see Eucharist (disambiguation). ... For other uses of Mass, see Mass (disambiguation). ... Canonical hours are ancient divisions of time (also called offices), developed by the Christian Church, serving as increments between prayers. ... As a verb, consummate means to bring something to its completion, such as a transaction, concept, plan or action. ... Matrimony redirects here. ... Dispensation is the act of distributing goods or services, especially those that are regulated, as in the practice of pharmacists. ... Ordination is the process in which clergy become authorized by their religious denomination and/or seminary to perform religious rituals and ceremonies. ... A relic is an object, especially a piece of the body or a personal item of someone of religious significance, carefully preserved with an air of veneration as a tangible memorial, Relics are an important aspect of Buddhism, some denominations of Christianity, Hinduism, shamanism, and many other personal belief systems. ... Saint Quentin is the patron saint of locksmiths and is also invoked against coughs and sneezes. ... The Basilica of St. ... For other uses, see Prayer (disambiguation). ...

Cardinal Prefects

• Domenico Ferrata (1908-1914)
• Filippo Cardinal Giustini (1914-1920)
• Michele Lega (1920-1935)
• Domenico Jorio (1935-1954)
• Benedetto Aloisi Masella (1954-1968)
• Francesco Carpino (7 Apr 1967 - 26 Jun 1967)
• Francis James Brennan (1968)
• Antonio Samoré (1968-1974)
• James Knox (1974-1981)
• Giuseppe Casoria, (pro-prefect 1981-1983, prefect 1983-1984)
• Paul Mayer (pro-prefect 1984-1985, prefect 1985-1988)
• Eduardo Martínez Somalo (1988-1992)
• Antonio María Javierre Ortas (1992-1996)
• Jorge Arturo Medina Estévez (pro-prefect 1996-1998, prefect 1998-2002)
• Francis Arinze (2002- )

Domenico Cardinal Ferrata (Gradoli, March 4, 1847 – October 10, 1914) was an Italian Roman Catholic Cardinal who spent the bulk of his career in the diplomatic service of the Holy See and in the Roman Curia. ... His Most Reverend Eminence Michele Cardinal Lega S.T.D. J.U.D. (1 January 1860 - 16 December 1935) was a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and was former Prefect of the Congregation for Discipline of Sacraments. ... His Most Reverend Eminence Domenico Cardinal Jorio S.T.D. J.U.D. (7 October 1867 - was a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and was former Prefect of the Congregation for Discipline of Sacraments. ... His Eminence Benedetto Cardinal Aloisi Masella (June 29, 1879—September 30, 1970) was an Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. ... His Most Reverend Eminence Francesco Cardinal Carpino S.T.D. (18 May 1905 - 5 October 1993) was a Roman Catholic Cardinal and former Archbishop of Palermo. ... Francis Cardinal Brennan (7 May 1894–2 July 1968) was a cardinal of the Catholic Church, Dean of the Sacra Rota Romana 1959-1968, and prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments 1968. ... Antonio Samoré was a Catholic Cardinal. ... James Cardinal Knox was Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne from 1967 to 1974. ... His Most Reverend Eminence Paul Augustin Cardinal Mayer O.S.B. (23 May 1911) is a Roman Catholic Cardinal and is currently President Emeritus of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei. ... His Eminence Eduardo Cardinal Martínez Somalo JCD (born March 31, 1927) is a Spanish prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. ... Antonio María Javierre Ortas S.D.B. (born 21st February 1921 in Siétamo in Spain, died 1st February 2007 in Rome) was a cardinal of the Catholic Church, and former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in the Vatican. ... Jorge Cardinal Medina Jorge Arturo Cardinal Medina Estévez (born December 23, 1926) is a retired cardinal from Santiago, Chile. ... Francis Cardinal Arinze. ...

External links

• Home Page on the Vatican web site
• Giga-Catholic Information