Pontifical

This article is about the type of liturgical book. For other uses, see Pontifical (disambiguation).

A pontifical (Latin: pontificale) is a Christian liturgical book containing the liturgies that only a bishop may perform. Among the liturgies are those of the ordinal for the ordination and consecration of deacons, priests, and bishops to Holy Orders. While the Roman Pontifical and closely related Ceremonial of Bishops of the Roman Rite are the most common,[1]: 1089–1090  pontificals exist in other liturgical traditions.

  1. ^ Cross, F.L., ed. (1958). The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. London: Oxford University Press.