St Pius the X – who was pope from 1903 to 1914 – was an enigmatic personage whose papacy had both positive and negative effects. He himself was simple, humble and yet full of strong-willed opinions. His strongest opinion before being elected pope was uncompromising obedience to the Holy Father.
When he became pope he intended to be a pastoral pope rather than a political one, but the political world forces of the time demanded political responses from him – especially as the storm clouds were beginning to gather prior to the First World War.
On the spiritual side, however, he was faced with the cultural ramifications of modernism which simply stated declared that mankind can be its own savior, having achieved new levels of technology and scientific know-how. In his encyclical letter: Pascendi Dominici gregis, "Feeding the Lord's Flock" – he condemned modernism as the "synthesis of all heresies." He even went so far as to introduce the oath against modernism to all clergy in the church. (This was rescinded fully by Paul VI). Pius was certainly correct in his appraisal of the problem here: mankind can never be its own savior – there is more to be "saved" than the "natural order" - there is One Savior and that is Christ Jesus the Lord, Son of God and Son of Mary – only he is capable of saving the whole of man – the natural and supernatural elements of him!
On the brighter side his pontificate reorganized the Roman Curia and created a new Code of Canon Law; seminaries were reformed, the Pontifical Biblical Institute was established, laity were encouraged to cooperate with their bishops in the apostolate, Gregorian chant was restored in the liturgy, the Breviary recited by priests was revised and shortened, and frequent Communion was encouraged.
On a personal note: I am fortunate and honored enough to have St. Pius X as a link in my own apostolic line of succession extending to the bishop who ordained me. In many ways I feel myself carrying out his Episcopal motto of: "To Renew All Things in Christ."
In the first reading today we hear St. Paul telling the Thessalonians that he shared the gospel with them in spite of all kinds of struggle – and that was because he was not just a messenger – he was truly a brother, a friend who was interested in the spiritual welfare of the flock entrusted to his care! A pope is not just a messenger – he too invests his own self in the process of sharing the manifold gifts of God.
In the gospel passage Jesus receives Peter's three-fold apology for denying him three times: by means of the dialogue of commitment that he engages him in. IF YOU LOVE ME – FEED MY SHEEP! "Peter, and your successors – feed my sheep, take care of the flock, guard them, guide them, love them – and see them safely home to me!"
No comments:
Post a Comment