Abstract: A self-cleaning diesel exhaust particulate filter is disclosed wherein burn-off of collected particulate matter is accomplished at certain exhaust gas temperatures, the filter being provided with a catalyst mixture consisting essentially of a platinum group metal and an alkaline earth metal oxide. The platinum group metal may be one or both of platinum and rhodium and the alkaline earth metal oxide may be magnesium oxide. The presence of the catalyst mixture serves to lower the temperature at which ignition of the collected particulates is initiated.