Tuesday, November 1, 2016

“1. Sacred Scripture records the divine word saying that men will remember the just man forever, for even though he is dead, he yet speaks.(Cf. Ps. 111:7; Prov. 10:7, Heb. 11:4.) Both in word and deed the Church has for a long time verified the truth of that saying. She is the mother and the nurse of holiness, ever renewed and enlivened by the breath of the Spirit Who dwells in us.(Rom. 8: 11.) She alone conceives, nourishes, and educates the noble family of the just. Like a loving mother, she carefully preserves the memory of and affection for the saints. This remembrance is, as it were, a divine comfort which lifts her eyes above the miseries of this earthly pilgrimage so that she finds in the saints ‘her joy and her crown.’ Thus she sees in them the sublime image of her heavenly Spouse. Thus she shows her children in each age the timeliness of the old truth: ‘For those who love God all things work together unto good, for those who, according to his purpose, are saints through his call.’(Rom. 8:28.) The glorious deeds of the saints, however, do more than afford us comfort. In order that we may imitate and be encouraged by them, one and all the saints echo in their own lives the saying of Saint Paul, ‘I beg you, be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.’(I Cor. 4:16.) 2. For that reason, Venerable Brethren, immediately after Our elevation to the Supreme Pontificate We stated in Our first encyclical that We would labor without ceasing ‘to restore all things in Christ.’(Cf. ‘E Supremi.’) We begged everyone to turn their eyes with Us to Jesus, ‘the apostle and high priest of our confession...the author and finisher of faith.’(Heb. 3:1; 12:2.) Since the majesty of that Model may be too much for fallen human nature, God mercifully gave Us another model to propose for your imitation, the glorious Virgin Mother of God. While being as close to Christ as human nature permits, she is better suited to the needs of our weak nature.(Cf. ‘Ad diem illum.’) Over and above that, We made use of several other occasions to recall the memory of the saints. We emulated these faithful servants and ministers of God's household (each in his own way enjoying the friendship of God), ‘who by faith conquered kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained promises.’”  Pope St. Pius X, Editae Saepe, May 26, 1910

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