|
DALL'ALTO DELL'APOSTOLICO SEGGIO ENCYCLICAL
OF POPE LEO XIII ON FREEMASONRY IN ITALY
To the Bishops, the Clergy, and the
People of Italy. Venerable Brethren and Beloved Children, Health and
Apostolic Benediction.
Italy Has Come to This
From the height of the Apostolic Throne,
where Divine Providence has placed Us to watch over the salvation of all
nations, We look upon Italy in whose bosom, by an act of singular
predilection, God has established the See of His Vicar, and from which come to
Us at the present time many and most bitter sorrows. - It is not any personal
offence that saddens Us, nor the privations and sacrifices imposed upon Us by
the present condition of things, nor the outrages and scoffs which an insolent
press has full power to hurl every day against Us. If only Our person were
concerned, and not the ruin to which Italy threatened in its faith is
hastening, We should bear these offences without complaint, rejoicing even to
repeat what one of Our most illustrious Predecessors said of himself: "If
the captivity of my country did not every moment for each day increase, as to
the contempt and scorn of myself I should joyfully be silent."(1) - But,
besides the independence and dignity of the Holy See, the religion
itself and the salvation of a whole nation are concerned, of a nation which
from the earliest times opened its bosom to the Catholic Faith and has ever
jealously preserved it. Incredible it seems, but it is true; to such a pass
have we come, that we have to fear for this Italy of ours the loss even of the
faith.-Many times have We sounded the alarm, to give warning of the danger;
but We do not therefore think that We have done enough. In face of the
continued and fiercer assaults that are made, We hear the voice of duty
calling upon Us more powerfully than before to speak to you again, Venerable
Brethren, to your Clergy, and to the whole Italian people. As the enemy makes
no truce, so neither you nor We must remain silent or inert. By the Divine
mercy We have been constituted guardians and defenders of the religion of the
people entrusted to Our care, Pastors and watchful sentinels of the flock of
Christ; and for this flock We must be ready, if need be, to sacrifice
everything, even life itself.
The Object of the Encyclical
2. We shall not say anything new; for facts
have not changed from what they were, and We have had at other times to speak
of them when occasion was given. - But We now intend to recapitulate these facts
in some way, and to group them into one picture, so as
to draw out for general instruction the consequences which flow from them. The
facts are incontestable which have happened in the clear light of day; not
separated one from another, but so connected together as in their series to
reveal with fullest evidence a system of which they are the actual operation
and development. The system is not new; but the audacity, the fury, and the
rapidity with which it is now carried out, are new. It is the plan of the
sects that is now unfolding itself in Italy, especially in what relates to the
Catholic religion and the Church, with the final and avowed purpose, if it
were possible, of reducing it to nothing. - It is needless now to put the
Masonic sects upon their trial. They are already judged; their ends, their
means, their doctrines, and their action, are all known with indisputable
certainty. Possessed by the spirit of Satan, whose instrument they are, they
burn like him with a deadly and implacable hatred of Jesus Christ and of His
work; and they endeavour by every means to overthrow and fetter it. This war
is at present waged more than elsewhere in Italy, in which the Catholic
religion has taken deeper root; and above all in Rome, the centre of Catholic
unity, and the See of the Universal Pastor and Teacher of the Church.
3. It is well to trace from the beginning
the different phases of this warfare.
"Facilis Descensus Averni"
4. The war began by the overthrow of the
civil power of the Popes, the downfall of which, according to the secret
intentions of the real leaders, afterwards openly avowed, was, under a
political pretext, to be the means of enslaving at least, if not of destroying
the supreme spiritual power of the Roman Pontiffs.-That no doubt might remain
as to the true object of this warfare, there followed quickly the suppression
of the Religious Orders; and thereby a great reduction in the number of
evangelical labourers for the propagation of the faith amongst the heathens,
and for the sacred ministry and religious service of Catholic
countries. - Later, the obligation of military service was extended to
ecclesiastics, with the necessary result that many and grave obstacles were
put to the recruiting and due formation even of the secular Clergy. Hands were
laid upon ecclesiastical property, partly by absolute confiscation, and partly
by charging it with enormous burdens, so as to
impoverish the Clergy and the Church, and to deprive the Church of what is
necessary for its temporal support and for carrying on institutions and works
in aid of its divine apostolate. This the sectaries themselves have openly
declared. To lessen the influence of the Clergy and of clerical bodies, one
only efficacious means must be employed: to strip them of all their goods, and
to reduce them to absolute poverty. So also the action of the State is of
itself all directed to efface from the nation its religious and Christian
character. From the laws, and from the whole of official life, every religious
inspiration and idea is systematically banished, when not directly assailed.
Every public manifestation of faith and of Catholic piety is either forbidden
or, under vain pretences, in a thousand ways impeded. - From the family are
taken away its foundation and religious constitution by the proclaiming of
civil marriage, as it is called; and also by the entirely lay education which
is now demanded, from the first elements to the higher teaching of the
universities, so that the rising generations, as far as this can be effected
by the State, have to grow up without any idea of religion, and without the
first essential notions of their duties towards God. This is to put the axe to
the root. No more universal and efficacious means could be imagined of
withdrawing society, and families, and individuals, from the influence of the
Church and of the faith. To lay Clericalism (or Catholicism) waste in its
foundations and in its very sources of life, namely, in the school and in the
family: such is the authentic declaration of Masonic writers.
Italy Among the Fallen
5. It will be said that this does not happen
in Italy only, but is a system of government which States generally follow. - We
answer, that this does not refute, but confirms what We are saying as to the
designs and action of Freemasonry in Italy. Yes, this system is adopted and
carried out wherever Freemasonry uses its impious and wicked action; and, as
its action is widespread, so is this anti-Christian system widely applied. But
the application becomes more speedy and general, and is pushed more to
extremes, in countries where the government is more under the control of the
sect and better promotes its interest. Unfortunately, at the present time the
new Italy is of the number of these countries. Not today only
has it become subject to the wicked and evil influence of the sects; but for
some time past they have tyranised over it as they liked, with absolute
dominion and power. Here the direction of public affairs, in what concerns
religion, is wholly in conformity with the aspirations of the sects; and for
accomplishing their aspirations, they find avowed supporters and ready
instruments in those who hold the public power. Laws adverse to the Church and
measures hostile to it are first proposed, decided, and resolved, in the
secret meetings of the sect; and if anything presents even the least
appearance of hostility or harm to the Church, it is at once received with
favour and put forward. - Amongst the most recent facts We may mention the
approval of the new penal code, in which what was most obstinately demanded,
in spite of all reasons to the contrary, were the articles against the Clergy,
which form for them an exceptional law, and even condemn as criminal certain
actions which are sacred duties of their ministry. - The law as to pious works,
by which all charitable property, accumulated by the piety and religion of our
ancestors under the protection and guardianship of the Church, was withdrawn
altogether from the Church's action and control, had been for some years put
forward in the meetings of the sect, precisely because it would inflict a new
outrage on the Church, lessen its social influence, and suppress at once a
great number of bequests made for divine worship. - Then came that eminently
sectarian work, the erection of the monument to the renowned apostate of Nola,
which, with the aid and favour of the government, was promoted, determined,
and carried out by means of Freemasonry, whose most authorised spokesmen were
not ashamed to acknowledge its purpose and to declare its meaning. Its purpose
was to insult the Papacy; its meaning that, instead of the Catholic Faith,
must now be substituted the most absolute freedom of examination, of
criticism, of thought, and of conscience: and what is meant by such language
in the mouth of the sects is well known. - The seal was put by the most explicit
declarations made by the head of the government, which were to the following
effect: - That the true and real conflict, which the government has the merit of
understanding, is the conflict between faith and the Church on one side and
free examination and reason on the other. That the Church may try to act as it
has done before, to enchain anew reason and
free-thought, and to prevail; but the government in this conflict declares
itself openly in favour of reason as against faith, and takes upon itself the
task of making the Italian State the evident expression of this reason and
liberty: a sad task, which has just now been boldly reaffirmed on a like
occasion.
The Masonic Ideal
6. In the light of such facts and such
declarations as these, it is more than ever clear that the ruling idea which,
as far as religion is concerned, controls the course of public affairs in
Italy, is the realisation of the Masonic programme. We see how much has
already been realised; we know how much still remains to be done; and we can
foresee with certainty that, so long as the destinies of Italy are in the
hands of sectarian rulers or of men subject to the sects, the realisation of
the programme will be pressed on, more or less rapidly according to
circumstances, unto its complete development. - The action of the sects is at
present directed to attain the following objects, according to the votes and
resolutions passed in their most important assemblies, - votes and resolutions
inspired throughout by a deadly hatred of the Church. The abolition in the
schools of every kind of religious instruction, and the founding of
institutions in which even girls are to be withdrawn from all clerical
influence whatever it may be; because the State, which ought to be absolutely
atheistic, has the inalienable right and duty to form the heart and the spirit
of its citizens, and no school should exist apart from its inspiration and
control. - The rigorous application of all laws now in force, which aim at
securing the absolute independence of civil society from clerical influence. - The strict observance of
laws suppressing religious corporations,
and the employment of means to make them effectual. - The regulation of all
ecclesiastical property, starting from the principle that its ownership
belongs to the State, and its administration to the civil power. - The exclusion
of every Catholic or clerical element from all public administrations, from
pious works, hospitals, and schools, from the councils which govern the
destinies of the country, from academical and other unions, from companies,
committees, and families, - an exclusion from everything, everywhere, and
forever. Instead, the Masonic influence is to make itself felt in all the
circumstances of social life, and to become master and controller of
everything. - Hereby the way will be smoothed towards the abolition of the
Papacy; Italy will thus be free from its
implacable and deadly enemy; and Rome, which in the past was the centre of
universal Theocracy will in the future be the centre of universal
secularisation, whence the Magna Charta of human liberty is to be
proclaimed in the face of the whole world. Such are the authentic declarations, aspirations, and resolutions, of
Freemasons or of their assemblies.
7. Without exaggeration, this is the present
condition and the future prospect of religion in Italy. To shrink from seeing
the gravity of this would be a fatal error. To recognise it as it is, to
confront it with evangelical prudence and fortitude, to infer the duties which
it imposes on all Catholics, and upon us especially who as Pastors have to
watch over them and guide them to salvation, is to enter into the views of
Providence, to do a work of wisdom and pastoral zeal. - As far as We are
concerned, the Apostolic office lays upon Us the duty of protesting loudly
once more against all that has been done, is doing, or is attempted in Italy
to the harm of religion. Defending and guarding the sacred rights of the
Church and of the Pontificate, We openly repel and denounce to the whole
Catholic world the outrages which the Church and the Pontificate are
continually receiving, especially in Rome, and which hamper Us in the
government of the Catholic Church, and add difficulty and indignity to Our
condition. We are determined not to omit anything on Our part which can serve
to maintain the faith lively and vigorous amidst the Italian people, and to
protect it against the assaults of its enemies. We, therefore, make appeal,
Venerable Brethren, to your zeal and your great love for souls, in order that,
possessed with a sense of the gravity of the danger which they incur, you may
apply the proper remedies and do all you can to dispel this danger.
Thus Shall You Fight
8. No means must be neglected that are in
your power. All the resources of speech, every expedient in action, all the
immense treasures of help and grace which the Church places in your hands,
must be made use of, for the formation of a Clergy learned and full of the
spirit of Jesus Christ, for the Christian education of youth, for the
extirpation of evil doctrines, for the defence of Catholic truths, and for the
maintenance of the Christian character and spirit of family life.
9. As to the Catholic people, before everything else it is necessary that they should
be instructed as to the true state of things in Italy with regard to religion,
the essentially religious character of the conflict in Italy against the
Pontiff, and the real object constantly aimed at, so that they may see by the
evidence of facts the many ways in which their religion is conspired against,
and may be convinced of the risk they run of being robbed and spoiled of the
inestimable treasure of the faith. - With this conviction in their minds, and
having at the same time a certainty that without faith it is impossible to
please God and to be saved, they will understand that what is now at stake is
the greatest, not to say the only interest, which every one on earth is bound
before all things, at the cost of any sacrifice, to put out of danger, under
penalty of everlasting misery. They will, moreover, easily understand that, in
this time of open and raging conflict, it would be disgraceful for them to
desert the field and hide themselves. Their duty is to remain at their post,
and openly to show themselves to be true Catholics by their belief and by
actions in conformity with their faith. This they must do for the honour of
their faith, and the glory of the Sovereign Leader whose banner they follow;
and that they may escape that great misfortune of being disowned at the last
day, and of not being recognised as His by the Supreme Judge who has declared
that whosoever is not with Him is against Him.-Without ostentation or
timidity, let them give proof of that true courage which arises from the
consciousness of fulfilling a sacred duty before God and men. To this frank
profession of faith Catholics must unite a perfect docility and filial love
towards the Church, a sincere respect for their Bishops, and an absolute
devotion and obedience to the Roman Pontiff. In a word, they will recognise
how necessary it is to cease from everything that is the work of the sects, or
that receives impulse or favour from them, as being undoubtedly infected by
the anti-Christian spirit; and they will, on the contrary, devote themselves
with activity, courage and constancy, to Catholic works, and to the
associations and institutions which the Church has blessed, and which the
Bishops and the Roman Pontiff encourage and sustain. Moreover, seeing that the
chief instrument employed by our enemies is the press, which in great part
receives from them its inspiration and support, it is important that Catholics
should oppose the evil press by a press that is
good, for the defence of truth, out of love for religion, and to uphold the
rights of the Church. While the Catholic press is occupied in laying bare the
perfidious designs of the sects, in helping and seconding the action of the
sacred Pastors, and in defending and promoting Catholic works, it is the duty
of the faithful efficaciously to support this press,-both by refusing or
ceasing to favour in any way the evil press; and also directly, by concurring,
as far as each one can, in helping it to live and thrive: and in this matter
We think that hitherto enough has not been done in Italy.Lastly, the teaching
addressed by Us to all Catholics, especially in the Encyclicals "Humanum
genus" and "Sapientiae Christianae," should be particularly
applied to the Catholics of Italy, and be impressed upon them. If they have
anything to suffer or to sacrifice through remaining faithful to these duties,
let them take courage in the thought that the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth
violence and is gained only by doing violence to ourselves; and that he who
loves himself and what is his own more than Jesus Christ, is not worthy of
Him. The example of the many invincible champions who, throughout all time,
have generously sacrificed everything for the faith, and the special helps of
grace which make the yoke of Jesus Christ sweet and His burden light, ought to
animate powerfully their courage and to sustain them in the glorious contest.
From Another Point of View
10. So far We have considered only the
religious side of the present state of things in Italy, inasmuch as this is
for Us the most essential, and the subject which eminently concerns Us by
reason of the Apostolic office which We hold. But it is worthwhile to consider
also the social and political side, so that Italians may see that not only the
love of religion, but also the noblest and sincerest love of country should
stir them to resist the impious attempts of the sects. - As a convincing proof
of this, it suffices to take note of the kind of future, in the social and
political order, which is being prepared for Italy by men whose object is - and
they make no secret of it - to wage an unrelenting war against Catholicism and
the Papacy.
11. Already the test of the past speaks
eloquently for itself. - What Italy has become in this first period of its new
life, as to public and private morality, internal safety, order and peace,
national wealth and prosperity, all this is known to you by facts, Venerable
Brethren, better than We could describe it in words. The very men whose
interest it would be to hide all this, are constrained by truth to admit it.
We will only say that, under present conditions, though a sad but real
necessity, things could not be otherwise: the Masonic sect, with all its boast
of a spirit of beneficence and philanthropy, can only exercise an evil
influence - an influence which is evil because it attacks and endeavours to
destroy the religion of Christ, the true benefactress of mankind.
Without Religion Ye Are Naught
12. All know with what salutary effect and
in how many ways the influence of religion penetrates society. It is beyond
dispute that sound public and private morality gives honour and strength to
States. But it is equally certain that, without religion there is no true
morality, either public or private. - From the family, solidly based on its
natural foundations, comes the life, the growth, and the energy of society.
But without religion, and without morality, the domestic partnership has no
stability, and the family bonds grow weak and waste away. - The prosperity of
peoples and of nations comes from God and from His blessings. If a people does
not attribute its prosperity to Him, but rises up against Him, and in the
pride of its heart tacitly tells Him that it has no need of Him, its
prosperity is but a semblance, certain to disappear so soon as it shall please
the Lord to confound the proud insolence of His enemies. - It is religion which,
penetrating to the depth of each one's conscience, makes him feel the force of
duty and urges him to fulfil it. It is religion which gives to rulers feelings
of justice and love towards their subjects; which makes subjects faithful and
sincerely devoted to their rulers; which makes upright and good legislators,
just and incorruptible magistrates, brave and heroic soldiers, conscientious
and diligent administrators. It is religion which produces concord and
affection between husband and wife, love and reverence between parents and
their children; which makes the poor respect the property of others, and
causes the rich to make a right use of their wealth. From this fidelity to
duty, and this respect for the rights of others come the order, the
tranquillity, and the peace, which form so large a part of the prosperity of a people and of a
State. Take away religion, and with it all these immensely precious benefits
would disappear from society.
Italy Without Religion
13. For Italy, moreover, the loss would be
sensible. - All its glories and greatness, which for a long time gave to it the
first place among the most cultured nations, are inseparable from religion,
which has either produced or inspired them, or certainly has given to them
favour, help, and increase. Its communes tell us of its public liberties: of
its military glories we read in its many memorable enterprises against the
enemies of the Christian name. Its sciences are seen in its universities
which, founded, fostered, and privileged by the Church, have been their home
and theatre. Its arts are shown in the numberless monuments of every kind with
which Italy is profusely covered. Of its institutions for the relief of
suffering, for the destitute, and the working-classes we have evidence in its
many foundations of Christian charity, in the many asylums established for
every kind of need and misfortune, and in the associations and corporations
which have grown up under the protection of religion. The virtue and the
strength of religion are immortal because religion is from God. It has
treasures of help and most efficacious remedies, which can be wonderfully
adapted to the needs of every time and epoch. What religion has known how to
do and has done in former times, it can do also now with a virtue ever fresh
and vigorous. To take away religion from Italy, is to dry up at once the most
abundant source of inestimable help and benefits.
The Dangers of Socialism
14. Moreover, one of the greatest and most
formidable dangers of society at the present day, is the agitation of the
Socialists, who threaten to uplift it from its foundations. From this great
danger Italy is not free; and although other nations may be more infested than
Italy by this spirit of subversion and disorder, it is not therefore less true
that even here this spirit is widely spreading and increasing every day in
strength. So criminal is its nature, so great the power of its organisation
and the audacity of its designs, that there is need of uniting all
conservative forces, if we are to arrest its progress and
successfully to prevent its triumph. Of these forces the first, and above all
the chief one, is that which can be supplied by religion and the Church:
without this, the strictest laws, the severest tribunals, and even the force
of arms, will prove useless or insufficient. As, in old times, material force
was of no avail against the hordes of barbarians, but only the power of the
Christian religion, which entering into their souls quenched their ferocity,
civilised their manners, and made them docile to the voice of truth and to the
law of the gospel; so against the fury of lawless multitudes there will be no
effectual defence without the salutary power of religion. It is only this
power which, casting into their minds the light of truth, and instilling into
their hearts the holy moral precepts of Jesus Christ, can make them listen to
the voice of conscience and of duty, and, before restraining their hand,
restrain their minds and allay the violence of passion. - To assail religion, is
therefore to deprive Italy of its most powerful ally against an enemy that
becomes every day more formidable.
15. But this is not all. - As, in the social
order, the war against religion is becoming most disastrous and destructive to
Italy, so, in the political order, the enmity against the Holy See and the
Roman Pontiff is for Italy a source of the greatest evils. Even as to this,
demonstration is not needed; it is enough, for the full expression of our
thought, to state in few words its conclusions. The war against the Pope is
for Italy, internally, a cause of profound division between official Italy and
the great part of Italians who are truly Catholic: and every division is a
weakness. This war deprives our country of the support and co-operation of the
party which is the most frankly conservative; it keeps up in the bosom of the
nation a religious conflict which has never yet brought any public good, but
ever bears within itself the fatal germs of evil and of most heavy
chastisement. Externally, the conflict with the Holy See, besides depriving
Italy of the prestige and splendour which it would most certainly have by
living in peace with the Pontificate, draws upon it the hostility of the
Catholics of the whole world, is a cause of immense sacrifices, and may on any
occasion furnish its enemies with a weapon to be used against it.
16. Such is the so-called welfare and i greatness prepared for Italy by those who,
having its destinies in their hands, do all they can, in accordance with the
impious aspiration of the '' sects, to overthrow the Catholic religion
and the Papacy.
If Only
17. Suppose, instead of this, that all connection and connivance with the sects were
given up; that religion and the Church, as the greatest social power, were
allowed real liberty and full exercise of their rights. - What a happy change
would come over the destinies of Italy! The evils and the dangers which we
have lamented, as the result of the war against religion and the Church, would
cease with the termination of the conflict; and further, we should see once
more flourish on the chosen soil of Catholic Italy the greatness and glory
which religion and the Church have ever abundantly produced. From their divine
power would spring up spontaneously a reformation of public and private
morality; family ties would be strengthened; and under religious influences,
the feeling of duty and of fidelity in its fulfilment would be awakened in all
ranks of the people to a new life. - The social questions which now so greatly
occupy men's minds would find their way to the best and most complete
solution, by the practical application of the gospel precepts of charity and
justice. Popular liberty, not allowed to degenerate into license, would be
directed only to good ends, and would become truly worthy of man. The
sciences, through that truth of which the Church is mistress, would rise
speedily to a higher excellence; and so also would the arts, through the
powerful inspiration which religion derives from above, and which it knows how
to transfuse into the minds of men. - Peace being made with the Church,
religious unity and civil concord would be greatly strengthened; the
separation between Italy and Catholics faithful to the Church would cease, and
Italy would thus acquire a powerful element of order and stability. The just
demands of the Roman Pontiff being satisfied, and his sovereign rights
acknowledged, he would be restored to a condition of true and effective
independence; and Catholics of other parts of the world, who, not through
external influence of ignorance of what they want, but through a feeling of
faith and sense of duty, all raise their voice in defence of the dignity
and liberty of the supreme Pastor of their souls, would no longer have reason
to regard Italy as the enemy of the Pontiff. - On the contrary, Italy would gain
greater respect and esteem from other nations by living in harmony with the
Apostolic See; for not only has this See conferred special benefits on
Italians by its presence in the midst of them, but also, by the constant
diffusion of the treasures of faith from this centre of benediction and
salvation, it has made the Italian name great and respected among all nations.
Italy reconciled with the Pontiff, and faithful to its religion, would be able
worthily to emulate the glory of its early times; and from whatever real
progress there is in the present age it would receive a new impulse to advance
in its glorious path. Rome, pre-eminently the Catholic city, destined by God to
be the centre of the religion of Christ and the See of His Vicar, has had in
this the cause of its stability and greatness throughout the eventful changes
of the many ages that are past. Placed again under the peaceful and paternal
sceptre of the Roman Pontiff, it would again become what Providence and the
course of ages made it - not dwarfed to the condition of a capital of one
kingdom, nor divided between two different and sovereign powers in a dualism
contrary to its whole history; but the worthy capital of the Catholic world,
great with all the majesty of Religion and of the supreme Priesthood, a
teacher and an example to the nations of morality and of civilisation.
Founded on a Rock
18. These are not vain illusions, Venerable
Brethren, but hopes resting upon the most solid and true foundation. The
assertion which for some time has been commonly repeated, that Catholics and
the Pontiff are the enemies of Italy, and in alliance, so to speak, with those
who would overturn everything, is a gratuitous insult and a shameless calumny,
artfully spread abroad by the sects to disguise their wicked designs, and to
enable them to continue without obstacle their hateful work of stripping Italy
of its Catholic character. The truth which is seen most clearly from what we
have thus far said, is that Catholics are Italy's best friends. By keeping
altogether aloof from the sects, by renouncing their spirit and their works, by striving in every way that
Italy may not lose the faith, but preserve it in all its vigour,-may not fight
against the Church, but be its faithful daughter, - may not assail the
Pontificate, but be reconciled to it, - Catholics give proof by all this of
their strong and real love for the religion of their ancestors and for their
country. - Do all that you can, Venerable Brethren, to spread the light of
truth among the people so that they may come at last to understand where their
welfare and their true interest are to be found; and may be convinced that
only from fidelity to religion and from peace with the Church and with the
Roman Pontiff, can they hope to obtain for Italy a future worthy of its
glorious past. - To this We would call the attention, not of those affiliated to
the sects, whose deliberate purpose it is to establish the new settlement of
the Italian Peninsula upon the ruins of the Catholic Religion; but of others
who, without welcoming such malevolent designs, help these men in their work
by supporting their policy; and especially of young men, who are so liable to
go astray through inexperience and the predominance of mere sentiment. We
would that everyone should become convinced that the course which is now
followed cannot be otherwise than fatal to Italy; and, in once more making
known this danger, We are moved only by a consciousness of duty and by love of
our country.
Prayers and Benedictions
19. But, for the enlightening of men's
minds, we must above all ask for special help from heaven. Therefore, to our
united action, Venerable Brethren, we must join prayer; and let it be a prayer
that is general, constant, and fervent: a prayer that will offer gentle
violence to the heart of God, and render Him merciful to Italy our country, so that He may avert from it
every calamity, especially that which would be the most terrible - the loss of
faith. - Let us take as our mediatrix with God the most glorious VIRGIN MARY,
the invincible Queen of the Rosary, Who has such great power over the forces
of hell, and has so many times made Italy feel the effects of Her maternal
love. - Let us also with confidence have recourse to the holy Apostles PETER and
PAUL, who subjected this blessed land to the faith, sanctified it by their
labours, and bathed it in their blood.
20. As a pledge meanwhile of the help which
We ask, and in token of Our most special affection, receive the Apostolic
Benediction, which from the depth of Our heart We grant to you, Venerable
Brethren, to your Clergy, and to the Italian people.
Given in Rome, at St. Peter's, on the 15th
of October, 1890, the thirteenth year of Our Pontificate.
LEO XIII
REFERENCE:
1. St. Gregory the Great: Letter to the Emperor
Maurice, Reg. 5.
Copyright © Libreria
Editrice Vaticana
|