INSIGNES
ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII ON
THE HUNGARIAN MILLENNIUM
To
the Bishops of Hungary.
You
have most rightly decreed that special, joyful thanksgiving be offered
to the eternal God of Hungary. For your nation, beyond all others, is
bound to recall the great abundance of benefits which it has received
from God, the most provident establisher and preserver of kingdoms, throughout
many centuries and in troublesome trials. The birthday of your country,
as it most happily returns, is a very suitable time for ".recollecting
and celebrating these blessings. For you are now marking the thousandth
year since your ancestors established their homes and residences in those
lands and the history of Hungary began.
One
Thousandth Birthday Celebration of Hungary
2. We
are in no doubt that the observances planned will have an outcome worthy
of the occasion and be productive of the most noble advantages. For there
can be no citizen with pure love whom the glories of the country in which
he has a share do not affect and to whom the ancient glories of the past
publicly remembered affects him with a keen desire to imitate them. To
all of this
will be added the unanimous approval of so many civilized nations who,
as they share rejoicing in friendship, will surely congratulate a kingdom
founded on appropriate laws and institutions, preserved by its civil prudence
and valor in war and brought by many deeds of excellence to its present
longevity and growth.
3. Your
prosperity affects Us in the most delightful possible way, and We desire
nothing more than to be present with you among your people, Venerable
Brothers, and to dwell there in mind and spirit. This Our wish is prompted
chiefly by Our special attraction towards and loving care for Catholic
Hungary and by their devoted feelings towards this Apostolic See and Ourselves.
Among other indications of devotions, in recent years Rome has seen Hungarians
in great numbers come, under your leadership, to venerate the tombs of
the Princes of the Apostles. They have presented beautiful testimonies
of faith, obedience, and love in the name of all their fellow countrymen.
They won Our benevolence and an exhortatory address to strengthen their
spirits in the duties of their holy profession. Indeed We had purposely
manifested this benevolence of Ours to the entire nation in Our first
and second letters to you. Now, however, recollecting
the modesty and favor with which the clergy and all good men received
Our instructions, once again may this letter convey Our love and may it
both increase the joy of the secular celebration and redouble its fruits.
4. In
the preparation for your celebrations, the power of the Catholic religion
as an excellent promoter of public safety and as the source or support
of good things among the peoples shines forth. Certainly, as your wiser
historians state, the Hungarian nation would not have held their occupied
areas either very long or very prosperously unless the Gospel had led
it, freed from the yoke of superstition, to accept these well-known principles:
to respect natural law, to do harm to no one, to be merciful, to pursue
peace, to be subject to princes as to God, and to practice brotherhood
at home and abroad.
Beginnings
of Catholicism in Hungary
5. In
a wonderful manner, the beginnings of the Catholic faith in your country
were consecrated in the persons of Prince Geza and the leaders of the
nation, especially by the efforts of the holy bishop Adalbert, a man famous
for his apostolic labors and finally, his martyr's crown. Those beginnings,
however, were the more remarkable in that, considering the times and the
position of their territories, they lay dangerously open to the lamentable
separation from the Roman Church which was breaking out among the Easterners.
What his father had begun, Stephan, a most exemplary Christian prince,
persisted in and completed. He is therefore rightly celebrated as the
chief pillar and light of your nation; he not only instructed it in the
attainment of eternal salvation, but he also increased its extent and
renown.
Importance
of Stephan
6. Under
that same prince, who offered and dedicated his sceptre to the Mother
of God and blessed Peter, that exchange of deeds of zeal and duty between
the Roman pontiffs and the kings and people of Hungary began, which we
have already praised. A permanent symbol of this bond was the royal crown
adorned with images of Christ the Savior and the Apostles which Our predecessor
Sylvester II sent as a gift to Stephan, when he conferred on him the title
of king because "he had greatly spread abroad the faith of Christ"(1)
in your country. That famous incident establishes
the constancy of the Hungarians in their obedience to Peter, for this
crown has borne the brunt of the shifting and dangerous squalls of critical
times unscathed, still radiant with its ancient honor; consequently it
has always been regarded as the great glory and defense of the kingdom,
and therefore protected religiously.
7. Thus
it came about that Hungary, as it grew in resources, entered on the same
paths as the peoples of youthful Christian Europe were travelling; because
of the outstanding character of the race, it attained virtue and humanity
more rapidly. For this reason, many men came forth who brought true fame
to their country and themselves by holiness of life, teaching, literature,
arts, and the fulfilling of their duties.
The
Church as Guardian of Liberty
8. We
have heard that a project has been undertaken which We fully approve for
the current celebration. It is planned to publish the ancient forgotten
evidence of services conferred by religion. Furthermore, the letters,
both those from you and those in Our Apostolic records, bear concordant
witness to the fact that religion has benefited mankind. It is of great
importance to reflect upon this, especially at the present time. Consider
what functions the Church fulfilled for your ancestors in establishing
and administrating public law; certainly its wisdom, order, and fairness
permeated everywhere at the request of all classes. Moreover, the Roman
pontiffs have shown themselves guardians and defenders of civil liberty
whenever it was placed in critical danger, either when requested to or
of their own accord. Your people have also never ceased to fight for this
liberty. This has happened many times in the past, especially when the
attacks of the bitter enemies of the holy faith had to be beaten back.
When the Turks invaded, everyone without exception agrees that the terrible
defeat which was threatening most of the Western peoples was averted by
the unconquerable courage of the Hungarians. Nevertheless, Our predecessors
contributed greatly to the success of the events by supplying money, sending
reinforcements, arranging treaties of alliance, and by effective prayer
for heavenly support.
Innocent
XI
9. Innocent
XI in particular gave aid in this struggle. His name is famous in connection
with two extraordinary
deeds: the liberation of Vienna from enemy siege and the great deliverance
of Buda, your chief city, after long oppression.
Gregory
XIII
10. Likewise
Gregory XIII performed an undying service for your nation when your religion
was dangerously afflicted by the influence of revolutionary movements
which spread from neighboring peoples. He undertook for Hungary the sound
measure which he had already carried through for other countries. We refer
of course to the College which he established for you in Rome, which he
then combined with the German College, in which chosen students would
be thoroughly educated in the learning and virtues worthy of the priesthood.
Then afterwards, they would work with greater effect in your churches.
And this indeed was the richly productive result, since many who were
educated there also held episcopal rank and brought equal glory to Church
and state.
John
Hunyadi
11. These
and similar benefits from the continuous favor of the Church are not so
much recalled in history books as they are deeply etched on the minds
of your citizens. A witness whose credibility is equal to all the rest
is the famous John Hunyadi in the fifteenth century, whose strategy and
bravery Hungary will always remember and praise. He declared in a welcome
and eloquent manner, "This country would never have stood fast on
its resources, I think, if it had not stood fast in its faith." And
while the same man was governor of the kingdom, all classes in a common
letter to Nicholas V professed: "Whatever our condition is, it is
especially due to the support of your Apostolic favor that we hold our
own." Far from reducing the importance of these testimonies, succeeding
ages have clearly added substantially to them as their benefits increased.
King
Machias
12. The
Hungarians have always striven to keep their kingdom bound as closely
as possible to the Apostolic See as its "very own and most devoted
possession." The register of public proceedings records many proofs
of this, whether in the form of letters written by kings and nobles to
the Roman pontiffs, or in the form of examples of heroic
and energetic virtue which assisted the Church to protect its rights or
to avenge its loss of rights on its enemies. This was even before the
struggle began against the invading forces of the Moslems. The relationship
of mutual service between King Louis the Great and Innocent VI and Urban
V indicate this. And when Paul II urgently requested that the Catholic
cause should be given strong help against the attack of the Hussites in
Bohemia, King Mathias replied: "I have dedicated myself and my kingdom
entirely to the Holy Roman Church and to your Beatitude. The Vicar of
God on earth, nay, God Himself, cannot command any deed so difficult for
me, or any so dangerous, that I should not think it dutiful and salutary
to undertake, that I should not fearlessly attempt, especially when it
is a case of strengthening the Catholic faith and crushing the perfidy
of the impious. . . . Whatever enemies of religion it is necessary to
meet in battle, behold, Mathias together with Hungary . . . remain devoted
to the Apostolic See and to your Beatitude and will remain so for ever."
And the event did not fall short of the words of the king nor of the Pope's
expectation; and it remains an evidence of great importance for later
times.
Maria
Theresa
13. Moreover,
the cooperation of nation and Church is shown by those commendations,
neither few nor faint, with which this Apostolic See has honored your
people, and likewise by the extraordinary titles of honor and privileges
which it has given to your kings. We desire, however, and it is completely
suited to the present celebration-to produce a glorious page from the
long official document in which Clement XIII, in accordance with his power,
confirmed to Maria Theresa, Queen of Hungary, and to her successors in
the same kingdom, the title of Apostolic King. That title was to supersede
previous privilege and custom. So as their fathers and grandfathers have
already done, let the grandchildren themselves rejoice in this Papal proclamation:
"The flourishing Kingdom of Hungary has been accurately considered
the best fitted of all for extending the boundaries of Christian authority
and glory, both by reason of the bravery of a most intrepid nation and
the nature of its territories. And indeed, everyone knows the Hungarians'
many outstanding deeds for the protection and expansion of Our religion.
They have often
engaged in battle with terrible enemies; by blocking as with their own
bodies the advance of the same enemies, who were bent on destroying the
Christian state, they wrested great victories from them. These famous
events have been published in well-known literary works. But We can in
no way pass over in silence Stephan, that most holy and brave King of
Hungary, consecrated with heavenly honors and placed among the number
of the Saints. The imprint of his virtue, his holiness, and his bravery
survives in your country to the eternal praise of the Hungarian name.
And all his successors in the kingship have at all times imitated his
beautiful examples of virtue. So it should seem strange to no one that
the Roman pontiffs have always honored with great praises and privileges
the Hungarian nation and its leaders and kings for their outstanding services
to the Catholic faith and the Roman See. The principal mark of honor,
of course, is the right to have the Cross carried in front of the kings
in public procession as the most shining symbol of the Apostolate; this
is in order to show that the Hungarian nation and its kings glory only
in the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ and that in this sign, they are
accustomed always to fight for the Catholic faith and to be victorious."(2)
Exhortations
to Hungary
14. We
greatly enjoy gracing your religious festivities with these recollections
of famous men and their deeds. But this event itself prompts some additional
action, which will bring with it real improvement for the common good.
Hungary should reflect upon itself and, inspired by a consciousness of
the nobility of its most religious ancestors together with a knowledge
of the present time, devote its efforts to worthy ends. The exhortation
of the Apostle certainly summons you, whatever your rank: "Stand
fast in the faith, act manfully and be strong."(3) To this all ought
to respond with one mind and voice: "Let us hold fast the confession
of our hope without wavering."(4) "Let us have no cause to question
our honor."(5)
15. When
we observe the tendency of this age as a whole, it is lamentable some
Catholic men everywhere do not practice the Catholic religion as they
should, either in thought or in action. It is also lamentable that men
make Catholicism almost the same as the form of any other religion and,
in fact, even hold the former in
suspicion and hatred. It is scarcely any use to say what sort of act it
is to reject with degenerate spirit this outstanding inheritance from
their ancestors. Nor is it any use to note how much it is the mark of
an ungrateful and uncircumspect mind, both to be unwilling to recognize
the longstanding benefits of the Catholic religion, and to neglect those
anticipated benefits. In Catholic wisdom and doctrine, a power and effectiveness
inheres which is thoroughly wonderful and works in many ways for the good
of human society. Since it does not vanish with the passage of time, it
is always the same and vigorous; in the same way, it is likely to be beneficial
in modern times provided it is not stifled.
16. As
to what pertains more nearly to your people, in former letters and similar
pronouncements, We have denounced dangers from which religion should be
protected, and We have proposed aids which would lead more suitably to
its freedom and dignity. And since civil affairs cannot be separated from
religious, We have been extremely eager to give Our attention and help
to the former as well, since this is clearly an integral part of Our Apostolic
duty. For the frequent advice and commands which We gave you as your circumstances
required, contributed not a little, as you rightly remember, to the public
safety and prosperity as well. But if, in this very people, the actions
of good men comply more strongly each day with Our advice and warnings,
why should We not embrace the hope which blossoms more abundantly on the
occasion of this secular commemoration, and which foreshadows to a rapid
fulfillment of all men's prayers? For surely all good citizens pray that
by removing causes for disagreement, the Church will not be denied its
proper honor. Then the proper honor of the state too will shine more brilliantly
in alliance with and under the guidance of the ancestral religion. This
will result in the authority of governments, the mutual duties of the
classes, the education of youth, and many other matters like these maintaining
themselves in truth, in justice, and in love: for on these foundations
and supports especially, states depend and thrive.
Anticipated
Results
17. Not
the least effective means of your enjoying this combination of good things,
as your famous forefathers did, is to allow your feeling of piety
towards the Roman Church to be inspired by their example, as under new
auspices. The most honorable crown of Stephan will be borne on a set day
through the capital city in an unusually solemn procession; this will
be in the course of the public rejoicings for the dedication of the House
of Assembly. Indeed, nothing is more closely connected with the glory
of your nation and your kings, nothing so suitable to the right organization
of civil affairs, than that sacred symbol of royal power. But We anticipate
that a twofold permanent result will arise without difficulty from this
occasion: first that among the nobility and the common people, obedient
and faithful allegiance to the august House of Hapsburg will be strengthened.
That House has always worn this same crown, which was conferred on it
by your ancestors of their own accord. The second anticipated result is
that the consequent recollection of the very close relations of your ancestors
with the Chair of Peter, which are plainly approved and consecrated by
this papal gift, may add firmness and strength to these same bonds.
18. Let
the illustrious people of Hungary know, however, that they can and ought
to entrust themselves completely to the authority and favor of the Apostolic
See. This See will never forget their famous deeds for the Catholic cause;
it retains and will continue to retain its former disposition of forethought
and maternal kindness towards them.
19. If
up to now We have helped you, may God help you to prosper even more. During
this celebration in particular, may He be concerned for your Apostolic
King, for the nobility, for the clergy, and for the whole people; and
may He make them abound with those good things which He
has Himself promised to nations and kingdoms which preserve justice and
peace. And may your great lady Mary be concerned for you all likewise,
together with Stephan and Adalbert, who are apostles and heavenly patrons
of your kingdom. Under their salutary protection, which your forefathers
experienced, you rejoice in more abundant fruit as the days go by. We
add a special prayer with the greatest love: may all the citizens whom
a single love of this country inspires, and whom this occasion of public
thanksgiving joins in a brotherly fashion, be bound together some day
by one and the same faith in the blessed embrace of Mother Church.
20. You,
however, Venerable Brothers, continue as you are doing watchfully and
attentively so that you deserve well of your people and the state: receive,
as an auspice of divine rewards and as a witness of Our special kindness,
the Apostolic blessing which We impart most lovingly to each one of you
and to the whole of Hungary in its joy.
Given
in Rome at St. Peter's, 1 May 1896, in the nineteenth year of Our Pontificate.
REFERENCES:
1. Clemene
XIII in his address Si qui militari, I October 1758.
2. Epistle Quum
multa alia, 19 August 1758.
3. 1 Cor 16.13.
4. Heb 10.23.
5. 1 Mc 9.10.
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