Rorate Caeli

Pomp and splendor in the liturgy: Priestly duty for the sake of salvation of others

The scriptures teach us that it is the duty of all to be solicitous for the salvation of one's neighbor, according to the power and position of each. The faithful do this by religiously discharging the duties of their state of life, by the uprightness of their conduct, by their works of Christian charity and by earnest and continuous prayer to God. On the other hand, those who belong to the clergy should do this by an enlightened fulfillment of their preaching ministry, by the pomp and splendor of ceremonies, especially by setting forth that sound form of doctrine which Saint Paul inculcated upon Titus and Timothy.
Leo XIII
Testem Benevolentiae Nostrae
January 22, 1899