Extract of’ Encyclical Miserentissimus Redemptor of Pius XI on the act of reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
(…) Our most merciful Redeemer, after having brought salvation to the human race on the wood of the Cross, before ascending from this world to the Father, to console his sad apostles and disciples, these: « Ecco, I am with you every day, until the end of the world » [1]. These words, in truth very welcome, they are a reason for all hope and security. They come easily to mind, Venerable Brothers, every time - so to speak - from this highest observatory we look at the whole human family afflicted by so many serious evils, and the Church as well, tormented relentlessly by assaults and dangers. Indeed, such a divine promise, how he first raised the dejected spirits of the Apostles and, so animated, he fervently ignited them to spread the seeds of evangelical doctrine throughout the earth, so he later led the Church to victory against the powers of hell. Always, Certainly, the Lord Jesus Christ assisted his Church; but with more valid help and protection, especially when it was troubled by more serious dangers and misfortunes, giving precisely those remedies that were most suited to the conditions of the times and things, with his divine Wisdom that "reaches from one end to the other with power, and gently disposes of all things." [2]. But not even in times closer to us "has the hand of the Lord been shortened" [3], especially when some error was introduced, and it spread quite widely, so as to have to fear that the sources of Christian life would somehow dry up for men who have distanced themselves from the love of God and his custom. And since some of the people perhaps are unaware, others overlook the laments that the beloved Jesus made to Maria Margherita Alacoque in his apparitions, as well as the desires and wills that he manifested to men, in the end, for their own benefit, We like it, Venerable Brothers, hold back- We are with you for a while to talk about the obligation that imposes on Us to make honorable amends to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, with this intention: may each of you diligently teach your flock what We have communicated to you, and excite him to carry out what we are about to order. (…)
How urgent is it?, especially in this century of ours, the need for atonement or reparation, no one can ignore it with their eyes and mind, as we said before, consider this world "entirely subjected to the evil one" [43]. Indeed, the cry of the people reaches Us from everywhere, whose kings or governments have truly risen up and conspired together against the Lord and against his Church [44]. We saw divine and human rights trampled upon in those nations, temples destroyed from their foundations, the religious and sacred virgins driven from their homes, imprisoned, hungry, afflicted by shameful tortures; the hosts of boys and girls torn from the womb of Mother Church, driven to deny and blaspheme Christ, and led to the worst crimes of lust; all the Christian people threatened, oppressed, in constant danger of apostasy from the Faith, or even the most atrocious death. Such painful things seem, with such misfortunes to foretell from now on and anticipate "the beginning of sorrows" which will be brought by "the unjust man who exalts himself above all that is God and religion" [45].
And the sight is no less sad, Venerable Brothers, than among the faithful themselves, washed with baptism in the blood of the immaculate Lamb and enriched with grace, you also meet many, of each class, That, ignorant of divine things, poisoned by false doctrines, they live a vicious life, far from the Father's house, without the light of true faith, without the joy of hope in future bliss, deprived of the benefit and comfort that comes from the ardor of charity, so that they can truly be said to be immersed in darkness, and in the shadows of death. Furthermore, there is a growing disregard for ecclesiastical discipline and the ancestral tradition by which all Christian life is supported among the faithful., domestic society is regulated, the sanctity of marriage is defended; the education of children is completely neglected or spoiled by too much effeminate care, and even the Church's ability to educate youth in a Christian way was taken away; Christian modesty tearfully forgotten in the way of living and dressing, especially women; an insatiable greed for perishable goods; an unbridled predominance of civil interests; a greedy quest for popular favor; a contempt for legitimate authority and the word of God, whereby faith itself is shaken or put at serious risk.
But to the complex of many evils are added the sloth and slothfulness of those who, in the likeness of the sleeping and fugitive apostles, unsteady in faith, they miserably abandon Christ, oppressed by pain or attacked by Satan's satellites, and the perfidy of those who, following the example of Judas the traitor, or with sacrilegious temerity they approach Communion or go to the enemy camp. And so it comes to mind, even without wanting to, the thought that the times prophesied by Our Lord have already arrived: « And since iniquity abounded, the charity of many will grow cold" [46].
How many faithful will piously turn their minds to all these considerations, burning with love for the suffering Christ, they will not be able not to atone for their own and other people's sins with greater commitment, repay the honor of Christ, promote the eternal salvation of souls. And for sure we can adapt, in some way, also to describe this age of ours, the words of the Apostle: «Where crime abounded, grace abounded" [47]. Indeed, the perversity of men has greatly increased, marvelously it is also increasing, by favor of the Holy Spirit, the number of faithful of both sexes, who with a more willing spirit strive to give satisfaction to the Divine Heart for so many injuries brought upon it, and indeed they are not afraid to offer themselves to Christ as victims. Because if someone goes with love to himself thinking back to what we have remembered so far and, so to speak, he has it imprinted in the depths of his heart, he will undoubtedly have to not only abhor every sin as the supreme evil and flee from it, but to offer oneself entirely to the will of God and strive to compensate for the damaged honor of the Divine Majesty with assiduous prayer, with the use of voluntary penances and with the patient suffering of those trials that he will encounter; In the end: with your whole life, conducted in this spirit of reparation.
Thus were also born many religious families of men and women who, day and night, with service scope, they propose to somehow take the place of the Angel comforting Jesus in the garden; the same goes for pious associations, approved by the Holy See and enriched with indulgences, who with appropriate exercises of piety and virtue set themselves the goal of reparation; Like this, not to mention other pious practices, the frequent use of solemn fines, not only by individual believers, but of the parishes, of the dioceses, of cities.
Therefore, Venerable Brothers, like the practice of consecration, started from humble beginnings, and then spread widely, with Our confirmation he received the desired splendor and crown, so greatly do we long for this restorative fine, already holyly introduced and propagated for some time, may have the firmest seal from Our apostolic authority, and the practice becomes universal and more solemn among the Christian people. Therefore we establish and order that every year on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus - which on this occasion we wanted to be raised to the degree of double first class with the octave - in all the churches of the world it is done with the same formula, according to the copy attached to this Encyclical, a solemn amends to our most loving Redeemer, to repair with it our sins and compensate the violated rights of Christ the Supreme King and most loving Lord.
From this practice, then holyly renewed and extended to the whole Church, it is not to be doubted, Venerable Brothers, that many and reported goods We promise, so much for individuals, as much as for religious society, domestic and civil; having our Redeemer himself promised to Margaret Mary "that he would enrich with the abundance of his graces those who had rendered this honor to His Heart". Sinners certainly "turning their gaze to Him whom they pierced" [48], moved by the tears of the whole Church, detesting the insults brought to the High King, "they will come to themselves" [49] so that by persisting in sins, at the sight of Him whom they plagued, it does not happen that "come on the clouds of heaven" [50], let them cry themselves too late and uselessly over him [51]. Then the righteous, they will become more just and more holy [52] and they will consecrate themselves with renewed ardor to the service of their King, who see so much despised and fought over and so gravely insulted, above all, their zeal for the salvation of souls will increase in them, upon hearing that moan of the Divine Victim "What's the point of my blood? » [53] and reflecting together on the joy of this Most Sacred Heart "for a sinner who returns to penance" [54]. And this first of all We mainly hope and intensely desire the justice of God, who for ten righteous people would have pardoned Sodom, much more should he show mercy to the entire human family, to beg and appease her, which all the faithful will do, together with Christ Mediator and Head. May the most benign Mother of God be propitious to Our wishes and to these Our dispositions, which, having given us Jesus the Repairer, having nourished him and offered him a victim for us at the cross, for the wonderful union she had with Him and for the most singular grace, she became too, as it is piously said, Repairer. Trusting in his intercession with Jesus, that being the only "Mediator between God and men" [55], His Mother wanted to join as advocate for sinners, dispenser and mediator of grace, we impart from the heart, auspicious of divine favors and witness of Our paternal benevolence, to you, Venerable Brothers, and to all the flock entrusted to your care, the Apostolic Blessing.
Given in Rome, at St. Peter's, on May 8th 1928, seventh year of Our Pontificate.
PIUS PP. XI
ACT OF REPAIR TO THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Sweetest Jesus, whose immense love for men is repaid with such ingratitude with oblivion, of neglect, of contempt, behold, we, prostrate before your altars, intend to make amends with particular attestations of honor for such an unworthy coldness and the insults with which your most loving Heart is wounded from every side by men.
Remembering, however, that we too were guilty of such indignity at other times and felt great pain for it, Let us first of all implore your mercy for us, ready to make amends with voluntary expiation, not just the sins committed by us, but also those of those who wander away from the path of health, or they refuse to follow You as shepherd and guide, obstinate in their infidelity, or by trampling on the promises of Baptism they have shaken off the gentle yoke of your law.
And while we intend to atone for the whole accumulation of such deplorable crimes, we aim to repair each one in particular: immodesty and the ugliness of life and clothing, the many snares set by corruption for innocent souls, the desecration of public holidays, the heinous insults hurled against You and your Saints, the insults hurled against your Vicar and the priestly order, the negligence and the horrible sacrileges with which the Sacrament of divine love itself is profaned, and finally the public sins of the nations that oppose the rights and magisterium of the Church founded by You.
Oh! could we wash these affronts with our blood! Meanwhile, as reparation for trampled divine honor, we present You - accompanying it with the expiations of the Virgin Your Mother, of all the Saints and pious souls - that satisfaction that You yourself one day offered on the cross to the Father and that you renew every day on the altars: promising with all my heart to want to make amends, as long as it will be in us and with the help of your grace, the sins committed by us and by others and the indifference towards such great love with the firmness of faith, the innocence of life, the perfect observance of the evangelical law especially of charity, and also to prevent with all our strength the insults against You, and to attract as many as we can to follow you. Welcome, We beg you, o most benign Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary the Reparator, this voluntary homage of reparation, and keep us very faithful in your obedience and service until death with the great gift of perseverance, thanks to which we can all one day reach that homeland, where You with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign, Dio, for ever and ever. So be it.
[1] Matt., XXVIII, 20.
[2] Sap., VIII, 1.
[3] Is., LIX, 1.
[43] I Ioann., V, 19.
[44] Cf. Ps., II, 2.
[45] II Thessal., II, 4.
[46] Matt., XXIV, 12.
[47] Rom., V, 20.
[48] John, XIX, 37.
[49] Is., XLVI, 8.
[50] Matt., XXVI, 64.
[51] Cf. Apoc., I, 7.
[52] Cf. Apoc., II, 11.
[53] Ps. 19, 10.
[54] Luc., XV, 4.
[55] I Tim., II, 5.
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Reporting of Federici Studies Center