As I write this post, we are already almost at the end of May (the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary) and on the verge of June (the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus), so I just had to write a post about my favorite pope, Leo XIII, you will see why.
Pope Leo XIII reigned from February 20, 1878 to July 20, 1903. Living until the age of 93, he was the oldest pope, whose age can be validated. Pope Leo’s is the fourth-longest pontificate, behind those of St. Peter, Pius IX, and John Paul II.
(This is not an exhaustive post on Pope Leo XIII, because he reigned for 25 years and wrote 85 encyclicals, so we will be returning to Pope Leo XIII again in the future, to learn more about our Faith and how to grow in holiness. In this post, we will learn some of the teachings of Pope Leo XIII on the Holy Rosary.)
The origin of this form of prayer is divine rather than human. - DIUTURNI TEMPORIS
This devotion, so great and so confident, to the august Queen of Heaven, has never shone forth with such brilliancy as when the militant Church of God has seemed to be endangered by the violence of heresy spread abroad, or by an intolerable moral corruption, or by the attacks of powerful enemies. - SUPREMI
APOSTOLATUS OFFICIO
It is mainly to expand the kingdom of Christ that we look to the rosary for the most effective help. - ADIUTRICEM
In Mary, God has given us the most zealous guardian of Christian unity. There are, of course, more ways than one to win her protection by prayer, but as for us, we think that the best and most effective way to her favor lies in the rosary. - ADIUTRICEM
Pope Leo’s teachings through the encyclicals
Obviously, the Holy Father had much to say about the Holy Rosary and that is why he wrote so many encyclicals on it. It is only right that we, the Faithful read these encyclicals written for our edification. From the above quotes, it seems that he wanted to teach Catholics about the origins of the Rosary, its efficacy against the dangers of the modern world and its great efficacy as a tool of Christian unity. Below, I have linked specifically to his Rosary encyclicals, I hope you will take the time to read them.
Pope Leo XIII’s 12 encyclicals on the weapon forged in Heaven:
Supremi apostolatus. Sept. 1, 1883. The rosary and Litany of Loreto recited in churches "for the month of October of this year."
Superiore anno. August 30, 1884. The reception of the previous year's October devotions warranted their continuation.
Quod auctoritate. Dec. 22, 1885. Exhortation to a greater spirit of penance and devotion to the rosary during the upcoming extraordinary jubilee year (the pope's fiftieth anniversary of ordination).
Vi E Ben Noto. Sept. 20, 1887. on the Rosary and Public Life.
Octobri mense. Sept. 22, 1891. The power of prayer and the efficacy of the rosary.
Magnae Dei Matris. Sept. 8, 1892. The relation of the rosary to faith and morality.
Laetitiae sanctae. Sept. 8, 1893. The social benefits of the rosary.
Iucunda semper. Sept. 8, 1984. The rosary as witness to Mary's intercession.
Adiutricem populi. Sept. 5, 1895. Mary's universal motherhood; the rosary as the way to unity.
Fidentem piumque. Sept. 20, 1896. The rosary's influence on Christian faith and life.
Augustissimae Virginis. Sept. 12, 1897. Mary's association with Christ; the rosary confraternities, and "living rosary."
Diuturni temporis. Sept. 5, 1898. A summary of the pope's teaching on the rosary; notice of the constitution on the rosary sodalities.
As we head into the month of June - the month of the Sacred Heart, do read this beautiful encyclical, ANNUM SACRUM, about the Sacred Heart by Pope Leo XIII. It is really a meditation on the Heart of Jesus and His Kingship.
When the Church, in the days immediately succeeding her institution, was oppressed beneath the yoke of the Caesars, a young Emperor saw in the heavens across, which became at once the happy omen and cause of the glorious victory that soon followed. And now, to-day, behold another blessed and heavenly token is offered to our sight-the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, with a cross rising from it and shining forth with dazzling splendor amidst flames of love. In that Sacred Heart all our hopes should be placed, and from it the salvation of men is to be confidently besought. - ANNUM SACRUM ENCYCLICAL OFPOPE LEO XIII ON CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART
Pope Leo XIII, pray for us and for the Church!
Instaurare Omnia in Christo
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I would love to see a deeper dive into this fascinating pope, he even invented the first ‘pope-mobile!’ 😂🙏