Organized like a sacerdotal college, the Chapter is composed by a Cardinal-Archpriest, and 12 Canons, all of whom are appointed by the Pope.
Under the direction of the Cardinal-Archpriest, the Canons, the Honorary Canons and the Coadjutors who make up the Liberian Presbyterate, carry out the Basilica’s liturgical functions and pastoral work, in an effort to attend to the faithful and to foster their active participation.
Due to an ancient honour, His Majesty the King of Spain is the Protocanon of the Liberian Chapter.
The existence of the Liberian Chapter was first documented in the 12th century, while the first codes of the Liberian Chapter date back to the 13th century: 1262, 1266 and 1271.
The clergy that served at the Basilica at the time was made up of Clerics in 1153 and, from 1292 onwards, of Canons. Starting as far back as 1153, there was also an Archipresbyter.
The earliest documents reveal nothing about the internal organization of the Chapter. However, documents from the 14th century reveal that initial efforts were being made to establish fixed rules that were fit to be submitted to the Pope for approval.
The earliest editions established the ancient form of the Liberian Statute. It is the oldest preserved example of a Roman Capitular Statute.
In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major continued to be an active place of worship, where Marian feasts were celebrated with great solemnity and where new devotions flourished beside the old traditions: the Lenten Stations of the Cross, worship of the Saints and, above all, veneration of the icon Salus Populi Romani.
Over the years, the Basilica has preserved some medieval missals (from the 12th and 15th centuries), the Santorale Liberiano and interesting “Calendars” of the time, which are currently stored in the Vatican Apostolic Archives.
On 19 March 2024, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, the Holy Father approved the new Statute and Regulation for the Chapter of the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major (Statute and Regulation).
