TONSURE. - A sacred rite instituted by the Church, by which a baptized and confirmed layperson, through the cutting of the hair and the imposition of the surplice, along with a specific formula, becomes a cleric.
However, clerical tonsure is not to be confused with monastic or religious tonsure, by which the candidate separates from the world to dedicate himself to the religious state (v.). The latter is also conferred upon novices and is not administered with the specific formula of clerical tonsure.
Tonsure is not an order but a rite that precedes sacred Orders, as is clearly evident from the Council of Trent (Session XXIII, ch. 2 *De Sacram. Ordinis* and ch. 6 *De Reformat.*; Session XIV, ch. 2 *De ref.*). Regarding the form of tonsure, the Roman form was in the shape of a crown, while the Celtic form was a half-crown, as the Celtic ecclesiastics and monks shaved the entire front part of the head from one ear to the other, leaving a strip of hair on the forehead. This distinctive tonsure sparked lively controversies in the 7th century between the Celts and the missionaries sent by Rome to evangelize the Angles (cf. Fliche-Martin-Frutaz, V, pp. 319, 329, 505).
Initially, tonsure was conferred with the first minor order, but from the 7th century onward, it became separate, first only for children and later also for adults. The practice of initiating adults into the clerical state through tonsure was approved by the Church and reserved to the bishop (ch. 11, X *de aetate* 1, 14 Decr., Innocent III). From this text, it is evident that this practice was universally accepted by the 12th century and maintained, apart from age requirements, by the Council of Trent.
CURRENT LAW. - The ordinary minister for conferring tonsure is the proper bishop (can. 955) according to can. 956. In ancient law, extraordinary ministers were only cardinal-priests in their titular churches; under current law, all cardinals are extraordinary ministers (can. 239 § 1, n. 2), and not only for clerics of their titular churches but for all, provided they are equipped with the resignation of their proper Ordinary. Additionally, regular abbots in office, even without territorial jurisdiction, are extraordinary ministers of tonsure, provided they are priests, have received the abbatial blessing, and it concerns their own subjects by virtue of at least simple profession (can. 625), failing which the act is null, unless the abbot is endowed with the episcopal character (can. 957 § 2).
Regarding the requirements for the candidate, can. 973 of the *Codex Iuris Canonici* stipulates that tonsure and minor orders are conferred only on those who intend to become priests and are deemed worthy (cf. the instruction of the Sacred Congregation of the Sacraments of 27 December 1930: *AAS*, 23 [1931], pp. 120 ff. regarding the candidate's petition to be submitted to the seminary rector two months before ordination). These requirements, in addition to those necessary for validity (can. 968 § 1), must be met alongside others expressly indicated (can. 974) for the liceity of every ordination. Regarding the age of the tonsured, the discipline immediately preceding the *CIC* required complete tonsure (C. 41, 9 in 60; Council of Trent, Session XXIII, ch. 4 *De reform.*, Roman Pontifical: *De ordinibus conferendis*). In some places, however, by particular law, the age of 14 was required. Under current law, no specific age is directly established; it is, however, stipulated that tonsure cannot be conferred before the beginning of theological studies, for both secular and religious clerics (can. 976 § 1).
Through tonsure, which signifies the renunciation of the world and dedication to God, the layperson becomes a cleric (can. 108 § 1) and is automatically incardinated into the diocese for whose service he has been tonsured (can. 111 § 2). He becomes capable of exercising jurisdiction and receiving benefices (can. 108 § 1, 119 § 3), acquires the rights and privileges proper to clerics (can. 119-23), may serve as a subdeacon, though without the maniple, at a solemn Mass, and is bound to special duties (can. 124-25, etc.) and to wearing tonsure, except where particular customs prevail, and to avoiding any elaborate hairstyle (can. 136). If minor clerics abandon their habit and tonsure and, when admonished, do not amend, they forfeit clerical status after one month, except as provided in can. 2379 and can. 188, 7.
The first tonsure may be conferred on any day and at any hour (can. 1066 § 4) and even in private oratories (can. 1009 § 3). The rite of tonsure, as described in the Gregorian Sacramentary, which reflects the discipline of the 8th century, consists of the cutting of the hair and an invitation to the faithful to pray to the Lord for the grace of the new cleric. The current rite is described in the Roman Pontifical under the title *De ordinibus conferendis et de clerico faciendo*.
The essential rite consists of cutting the ends of the hair in five places on the head: namely, on the forehead, the back of the head, the two ears, and the crown of the head, accompanied by the words: *«Dominus pars hereditatis meae et calicis mei tu es qui restitutes hereditatem meam mihi»*. If, instead of the natural hair, the hair of a wig is cut, the conferral of tonsure is doubtful and therefore requires sanation or must be repeated conditionally. The imposition of the queue with the formula *«Induat te Dominus»* etc. does not belong to the essence of the rite. Tonsure is a sacramental.