This Is A Shepherd

[Donna]

OATH AGAINST MODERNISM cont; to be sworn to by all clergy and professors in philosophical-theological seminaries; Given by St. Pope Pius X, Sept. 1, 1910. My emphasis in red.

I also condemn and reject the opinion of

those who say that a well-educated Christ-

ian assumes a dual personality - that of a

believer and at the same time of a historian,

as if it were permissible for a historian to

hold things that contradict the faith of the

believer, or to establish premises which,

provided there be no direct denial of dogmas,

would lead to the conclusion that dogmas are

either false or doubtful.

Likewise, I reject that method of judging

and interpreting Sacred Scripture which,

departing from the Tradition of the Church,

the analogy of faith, and the norms of the

Apostolic See, embraces the misrepresentations

of the rationalists and with no prudence or

restraint adopts textual criticism as the one

and supreme norm.

Furthermore, I reject the opinion of those who

hold that a professor lecturing or writing on a

historical-theological subject should first put

aside any preconceived opinion about the

supernatural origin of Catholic tradition or

about the divine promise of help to preserve

all revealed truth forever; and that they should

then interpret the writings of each of the Fathers

solely by scientific principles, excluding all sacred

authority, and with the same liberty of judgment

that is common in the investigation of all ordinary

historical documents.

[Donna]

Conclusion of the OATH AGAINST MODERNISM - "the synthesis of all heresies" - to be sworn to by all clergy and professors of philosophical-theological seminaries given by St. Pope Pius X, Sept. 1, 1910. My emphasis in red.

Finally, I declare that I am completely

opposed to the error of the modernists

who hold that there is nothing divine in

sacred tradition; or what is far worse,

say that there is, but in a pantheistic

sense , with the result that there would

remain nothing but this plain simple fact -

one to be put on par with the ordinary facts

of history - the fact, namely, that a group

of men by their own labor, skill, and talent

have continued through subsequent ages,

a school begun by Christ and His apostles.

I promise that I shall keep all these articles

faithfully, entirely, and sincerely, and guard

them inviolate, in no way deviating from

them in teaching or in any way in word or

in writing. Thus I promise, this I swear, so

help me God, and these holy Gospels of God

which I touch with my hand.

(This Oath was replaced by a Profession Of Faith shortly after the Vatican Second Council ended.)

[PedroX]

Donna,

That Oath is way cool. I kept thinking of how relevant parts of it are today, especially for all the "theologians" and "Catholic Experts" I hear on NPR. If they were forced to swear, or to leave their position it would be a different world. Thanks for typing that in for us.

peace...

[Donna]

You're welcome. B)

[Donna]

bump...Oath Against Mosernism, last four or so posts.

[Donna]

Cardinal Sarto didn't aspire to become Pope. As the votes in conclave increased in his favor, so did his apprehensions. The following is an account by Cardinal Merry del Val, who would become Pope Pius X's Secretary of State. As quoted in Saint Pius X by Yves Chiron, pp. 125-26.

"Cardinal Sarto's scruples and refusuals were so insistent that the Cardinal Dean, Oreglia di San Stefano, asked Msgr. Merry del Val to go and see him... an account of the first meeting with the man whose principle collaborator he was to be:

His Eminence (Cardinal Oreglia de San Stefano) felt bound in conscience

to ensure that things should not drag on, and he sent me to Cardinal

Sarto to ask whether he was insisting on his refusual and, if so, did he

wish and authorize His Eminence the Cardinal Dean to make a public

and definitive declaration of this fact to the Conclave during the afternoon

session. In this case the Cardinal Dean would invite his coleagues to reflect

and at least consider the possibility of applying their choice to another

candidate.

I left immediately to look for Cardinal Sarto. I had been told that he

was not in his room and that I would probably find him in the Paolina chapel.

It was close to midnight when I entered the silent, shadowy chapel...

I noticed a Cardinal kneeling on the marble floor near the altar, lost

in prayer, his head in his hands and his elbows resting on a little bench.

It was Cardinal Sarto.

I knelt beside him and, in a low voice, gave him the message with

which I had been entrusted.

His Eminence, as soon as he had understood me, raised his eyes and

slowly turned his head towards me, with tears pouring from his eyes...

"Yes, yes, Monsignore," he added gently, "ask the Cardinal Dean to do

me this charity..."

The only words I had the strength to utter, which came to my lips

spontaneously, were:

"Eminence, have courage, the Lord will help you!"

[Donna]

Today, August 25, begins a novena in honor of the centenary of St. Pius X being elected Sovereign Pontiff. Please refer to the "Solemn Invitation" thread in Open Mic.

All are encouraged to make this novena.

You won't be sorry!

[Donna]

Bump.