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 a1l 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,
preeminently 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.
REFERENCE:
1. St.
Gregory the Great: Letter to the Emperor Maurice, Reg. 5.
|