Quote of the day, 7 May: Pope Pius VI

As revolutionary forces targeted France’s monasteries, Pope Pius VI turned to faithful bishops with a plea: defend the nuns. Among them were the Discalced Carmelites of Compiègne, who would one day offer their lives rather than renounce their vows. And in their hour of trial, the voice of Peter answered their faith with fatherly courage.

To what we have already said regarding the vows of religious, we must now add the inhuman decree pronounced against the consecrated virgins—that they be removed from their cloisters, as Luther did, who (to use the words of Adrian VI) “did not fear to profane those vessels consecrated to God, to drag out of their monasteries the virgins dedicated to Jesus Christ who had professed the monastic life, and to return them to the world—or rather, to the devil, whom they had previously renounced.”

And yet the nuns—who are in fact the most illustrious part of Christ’s flock—have often, by their prayers, averted immense calamities from cities. Saint Gregory the Great recalls that this happened in his time in Rome: “If there were no consecrated virgins among us, not one of us would have survived for so many years in this place amidst the swords of the Lombards.” And Pius VI, speaking of his own nuns in Bologna, testifies that “this city, long oppressed by many misfortunes, could not have endured had divine wrath not been in some measure appeased by the continual and fervent prayers of our religious women.”

Meanwhile, the nuns of France—now in the deepest desolation—move our hearts with the tenderest compassion. Many of them, from across the provinces, have written to us of their anguish: they are being prevented from persevering in their institutes and from observing their solemn vows. Yet they have also declared to us their firm and unwavering resolve: they are determined to endure every hardship rather than abandon their vocation.

Therefore, beloved sons and venerable brothers, we cannot help but commend to you, in the fullest manner, their steadfastness and courage. We earnestly entreat you to encourage them with your exhortations, and to offer them—so far as lies within your power—every possible assistance.

Pope Pius VI

Quod Aliquantum, 10 March 1791

Pius VI 1791, Breve Quod Aliquantum, Rome, 10 March. Addressed to Dominique Cardinal de La Rochefoucauld, Archbishop of Rouen, and to Archbishop Jean-de-Dieu-Raymond de Boisgelin de Cucé of Aix, along with other bishops who had signed the Exposition on the Principles of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy. Italian text available at vatican.va.

Translation from the Italian text is the blogger’s own work product and may not be reproduced without permission.

Featured image: This detail from a stained glass window depicting the Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne was designed by stained glass artist Sister Margaret of the Mother of God, O.C.D. (Margaret Rope). It is one of her most famous windows in the chapel of the Carmel of Quidenham, England. Image credit: Discalced Carmelites

⬦ Reflection Question ⬦
What does it mean for me to stand with those who remain faithful at great personal cost?
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