On July 14, 1958, exactly fifty years ago, Pius XII placed his signature upon his last encyclical letter, Meminisse Iuvat. His magisterial production in the preceding years had been majestic: no Pope had before him written so deeply regarding all the grave matters of the Church in such an all-encompassing way.
It was fitting, then, that, as a closing tribute to the Church he served and loved, his last encyclical would be a call to all his spiritual children around the world to ask the intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God for the Church under persecution.
Pope Pacelli reminded Catholics in this oft-forgotten letter what was the true root of all contemporary troubles: the Almighty had been disregarded.
It was fitting, then, that, as a closing tribute to the Church he served and loved, his last encyclical would be a call to all his spiritual children around the world to ask the intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God for the Church under persecution.
Pope Pacelli reminded Catholics in this oft-forgotten letter what was the true root of all contemporary troubles: the Almighty had been disregarded.
If we weigh carefully the causes of today's crises and those that are ahead, we shall soon find that human plans, human resources, and human endeavors are futile and will fail when Almighty God - He who enlightens, commands, and forbids; He who is the source and guarantor of justice, the fountainhead of truth, the basis of all laws - is esteemed but little, denied His proper place, or even completely disregarded. If a house is not built on a solid and sure foundation, it tumbles down; if a mind is not enlightened by the divine light, it strays more or less from the whole truth; if citizens, peoples, and nations are not animated by brotherly love, strife is born, waxes strong, and reaches full growth.
Yet, the Pastor Angelicus recalled, there was an answer to the collapse of civilization: Christianity, i.e. the Catholic Church:
It is Christianity, above all others, which teaches the full truth, real justice, and that divine charity which drives away hatred, ill will, and enmity. Christianity has been given charge of these virtues by the Divine Redeemer, who is the way, the truth, and the life, and she must do all in her power to put them to use. Anyone, therefore, who knowingly ignores Christianity - the Catholic Church - or tries to hinder, demean, or undo her, either weakens thereby the very bases of society, or tries to replace them with props not strong enough to support the edifice of human worth, freedom, and well-being.
There must, then, be a return to Christian principles if we are to establish a society that is strong, just, and equitable. It is a harmful and reckless policy to do battle with Christianity, for God guarantees, and history testifies, that she shall exist forever.
Despite the terrible persecution of the Church in so many parts of the world (a persecution which continues to this day and under new names), Pope Pius urged all Catholics always to remain with Peter:
This unity is, indeed, being attacked by false doctrines and by a variety of insidious stratagems. But all should remember that the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, the Church, must be "closely joined and knit together through every joint of the system according to the function in due measure of each single part," "until We all attain to the unity of the faith and of the deep knowledge of the Son of God, to perfect manhood, to the mature measure of the fullness of Christ," whose Vicar on earth is - by divine appointment - the Roman Pontiff, as successor of Peter.
They should recall and meditate upon the wise words of Saint Cyprian, bishop and martyr: "The Lord spoke thus to Peter: I say to thee, thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church... On Peter alone He raised His Church... We must all resolutely preserve and defend this unity, but especially we bishops who govern the Church..."
And so Pius ended his last encyclical with an appeal to the Immaculate Virgin, for whom his love had been so profound throughout his life, for peace and an end to the persecution of the Church in Eastern Europe and in Asia (particularly China). His glorious pontificate would end in October of that same year.
