QUARTO
ABEUNTE SAECULO
ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII ON
THE COLUMBUS QUADRICENTENNIAL
To
Our Venerable Brethren, the Archbishops and
Bishops of Spain, Italy, and the two Americas.
Now that
four centuries have sped since a Ligurian first, under God's guidance,
touched shores unknown beyond the Atlantic, the whole world is eager to
celebrate the memory of the event, and glorify its author. Nor could a
worthier reason be found where through zeal should be kindled. For the
exploit is in itself the highest and grandest which any age has ever seen
accomplished by man; and he who achieved it, for the greatness of his
mind and heart, can be compared to but few in the history of humanity.
By his toil another world emerged from the unsearched bosom of the ocean:
hundreds of thousands of mortals have, from a state of blindness, been
raised to the common level of the human race, reclaimed from savagery
to gentleness and humanity; and, greatest of all, by the acquisition of
those blessings of which Jesus Christ is the author, they have been recalled
from destruction to eternal life. Europe, indeed, overpowered at the time
by the novelty and strangeness of the discovery, presently came to recognize
what was due to Columbus, when, through the numerous colonies shipped
to America, through the constant intercourse and interchange
of business and the ocean-trade, an incredible addition was made to our
knowledge of nature, and to the commonwealth; whilst at the same time
the prestige of the European name was marvellously increased. Therefore,
amidst so lavish a display of honour, so unanimous a tribute of congratulations,
it is fitting that the Church should not be altogether silent; since she,
by custom and precedent, willingly approves and endeavours to forward
whatsoever she see, and wherever she see it, that is honourable and praiseworthy.
It is true she reserves her special and greatest honours for virtues that
most signally proclaim a high morality, for these are directly associated
with the salvation of souls; but she does not, therefore, despise or lightly
estimate virtues of other kinds. On the contrary, she has ever highly
favoured and held in honour those who have deserved well of men in civil
society, and have thus attained a lasting name among posterity. For God,
indeed, is especially wonderful in his Saints-mirabilis in Sanctis suis;
but the impress of His Divine virtue also appears in those who shine with
excellent power of mind and spirit, since high intellect and greatness
of spirit can be the property of men only through their parent and creator,
God.
2. But
there is, besides, another reason, a unique one, why We consider that
this immortal achievement should be recalled by Us with memorial words.
For Columbus is ours; since if a little consideration be given to the
particular reason of his design in exploring the mare tenebrosum, and
also the manner in which he endeavoured to execute the design, it is indubitable
that the Catholic faith was the strongest motive for the inception and
prosecution of the design; so that for this reason also the whole human
race owes not a little to the Church.
3. For
we have the record of not a few brave and experienced men, both before
and after Christopher Columbus, who with stubbornness and zeal explored
unknown lands and seas yet more unknown. And the memory of these, man,
mindful of benefits, rightly holds, and will hold in honour; because they
advanced the ends of knowledge and humanity, and increased the common
prosperity of the race, not by light labour, but by supreme exertion,
often accompanied by great dangers. But there is, nevertheless, between
these and him of whom we speak, a generous difference. He was distinguished
by this unique note, that in his work of traversing and retraversing immense
tracts of ocean, he looked for a something greater and higher than did
these others. We say not that he was unmoved by perfectly honourable aspirations
after knowledge, and deserving well of human society; nor did he despise
glory, which is a most engrossing ideal to great souls; nor did he altogether
scorn a hope of advantages to himself; but to him far before all these
human considerations was the consideration of his ancient faith, which
questionless dowered him with strength of mind and will, and often strengthened
and consoled him in the midst of the greatest difficulties. This view
and aim is known to have possessed his mind above all; namely, to open
a way for the Gospel over new lands and seas.
4. This,
indeed, may seem of small likelihood to such as confine their whole thought
and care to the evidence of the senses, and refuse to look for anything
higher. But great intellects, on the contrary, are usually wont to cherish
higher ideals; for they, of all men, are most excellently fitted to receive
the intuitions and breathings of Divine faith. Columbus certainly had
joined to the study of nature the study of religion, and had trained his
mind on the teachings that well up from the most intimate depths of the
Catholic faith.
For this reason, when he learned from the lessons of astronomy and the
record of the ancients, that there were great tracts of land lying towards
the West, beyond the limits of the known world, lands hitherto explored
by no man, he saw in spirit a mighty multitude, cloaked in miserable darkness,
given over to evil rites, and the superstitious worship of vain gods.
Miserable it is to live in a barbarous state and with savage manners:
but more miserable to lack the knowledge of that which is highest, and
to dwell in ignorance of the one true God. Considering these things, therefore,
in his mind, he sought first of all to extend the Christian name and the
benefits of Christian charity to the West, as is abundantly proved by
the history of the whole undertaking. For when he first petitioned Ferdinand
and Isabella, the Sovereigns of Spain, for fear lest they should be reluctant
to encourage the undertaking, he clearly explained its object: "That
their glory would grow to immortality, if they resolved to carry the name
and doctrine of Jesus Christ into regions so distant." And in no
long time having obtained his desires, he bears witness: "That he
implores of God that, through His Divine aid and grace, the Sovereigns
may continue steadfast in their desire to fill these new missionary shores
with the truths of the Gospel." He hastens to seek missionaries from
Pope Alexander VI, through a letter in which this sentence occurs: "I
trust that, by God's help, I may spread the Holy Name and Gospel of Jesus
Christ as widely as may be." He was carried away, as we think, with
joy, when on his first return from the Indies he wrote to Raphael Sanchez:
"That to God should be rendered immortal thanks, Who had brought
his labours such prosperous issues; that Jesus Christ rejoices and triumphs
on earth no less than in Heaven, at the approaching salvation of nations
innumerable, who were before hastening to destruction." And if he
moved Ferdinand and Isabella to decree that only Catholic Christians should
be suffered to approach the New World and trade with the natives, he brought
forward as reason, "that he sought nothing from his enterprise and
endeavour but the increase and glory of the Christian religion."
And this was well known to Isabella, who better than any had understood
the great man's mind; indeed it is evident that it had been clearly laid
before that most pious, masculine-minded, and great-souled woman. For
she had declared of Columbus that he would boldly
thrust himself upon the vast ocean, "to achieve a most signal thing,
for the sake of the Divine glory." And to Columbus himself, on his
second return, she writes: "That the expenses she had incurred, and
was about to incur, for the Indian expeditions, had been well bestowed;
for thence would ensure a spreading of Catholicism,"
5. In
truth, except for a Divine cause, whence was he to draw constancy and
strength of mind to bear those sufferings which to the last he was obliged
to endure? We allude to the adverse opinions of the learned, the rebuffs
of the great, the storms of a raging ocean, and those assiduous vigils
by which he more than once lost the use of his sight. Then in addition
were fights with savages, the infidelity of friends and companions, criminal
conspiracies, the perfidy of the envious, and the calumnies of detractors.
He must needs have succumbed under labours so vast and overwhelming if
he had not been sustained by the consciousness of a nobler aim, which
he knew would bring much glory to the Christian name, and salvation to
an infinite multitude. And in contrast with his achievement the circumstances
of the time show with wonderful effect. Columbus threw open America at
the time when a great storm was about to break over the Church. As far,
therefore, as it is lawful for man to divine from events the ways of Divine
Providence, he seemed to have truly been born, by a singular provision
of God, to remedy those losses which were awaiting the Catholic Church
on the side of Europe.
6. To
persuade the Indian people to Christianity was, indeed, the duty and work
of the Church, and upon that duty she entered from the beginning, and
continued, and still continues, to pursue in continuous charity, reaching
finally the furthest limits of Patagonia. Columbus resolved to go before
and prepare the ways for the Gospel, and, deeply absorbed in this idea,
gave all his energies to it, attempting hardly anything without religion
for his guide and piety for his companion. We mention what is indeed well
known, but is also characteristic of the man's mind and soul. For being
compelled by the Portuguese and Genoese to leave his object unachieved,
when he had reached Spain, within the wall of a Religious house he matured
his great design of meditated exploration, having for confidant and adviser
a Religious-a disciple of Francis of Assisi. Being at length about to
depart for the sea, he
attended to all that which concerned the welfare of his soul on the eve
of his enterprise. He implored the Queen of Heaven to assist his efforts
and direct his course; and he ordered that no sail should be hoisted until
the name of the Trinity had been invoked. When he had put out to sea,
and the waves were now growing tempestuous, and the sailors were filled
with terror, he kept a tranquil constancy of mind, relying on God. The
very names he gave to the newly discovered islands tell the purposes of
the man. At each disembarkation he offered up prayers to Almighty God,
nor did he take possession save "in the Name of Jesus Christ."
Upon whatsoever shores he might be driven, his first act was to set upon
the shore the standard of the holy Cross: and the name of the Divine Redeemer,
which he had so often sung on the open sea to the sound of the murmuring
waves, he conferred upon the new islands. Thus at Hispaniola he began
to build from the ruins of the temple, and all popular celebrations were
preceded by the most sacred ceremonies.
7. This,
then, was the object, this the end Columbus had in view in traversing
such a vast extent of land and water to discover those countries hitherto
uncultivated and inaccessible, but which, afterwards, as we have seen,
have made such rapid strides in civilization and wealth and fame. And
in truth the magnitude of the undertaking, as well as the importance and
variety of the benefits that arose from it, call for some fitting and
honourable commemoration of it among men. And, above all, it is fitting
that we should confess and celebrate in an especial manner the will and
designs of the Eternal Wisdom, under whose guidance the discoverer of
the New World placed himself with a devotion so touching.
8. In
order, therefore, that the commemoration of Columbus may be worthily observed,
religion must give her assistance to the secular ceremonies. And as at
the time of the first news of the discovery public thanksgiving was offered
by the command of the Sovereign Pontiff to Almighty God, so now we have
resolved to act in like manner in celebrating the anniversary of this
auspicious event.
9. We
decree, therefore, that on October 12, or on the following Sunday, if
the Ordinary should prefer it, in all the Cathedral churches and convent
chapels throughout Spain, Italy, and the two Americas, after the office
of the day there shall
be celebrated a Solemn Mass of the Most Holy Trinity. Moreover, besides
the abovementioned countries, We feel assured that the other nations,
prompted to it by the counsel of their bishops will likewise join in the
celebration, since it is fitting that an event from which all have derived
benefit should be piously and gratefully commemorated by all.
10. Meanwhile,
as a pledge of heavenly favours and of Our own paternal goodwill, we lovingly
bestow the Apostolic Benediction in Our Lord upon you, Venerable Brethren,
and upon your clergy and people.
Given
at Rome, from St. Peter's, on the 16th day of July, 1892, in the fifteenth
year of Our Pontificate.
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