Veterum Sapienta

[Vouthon]

I loved reading this Apostolic Constitution of Pope John XXIII from 1962: papalencyclicals.net/John23/j23veterum.htm

The beginning reminds me that Christianity embraced everything that was holy and true in the religions of the ancient world, and did not destroy anything:

"…The wisdom of the ancient world, enshrined in Greek and Roman literature, and the truly memorable teaching of ancient peoples, served, surely, to herald the dawn of the Gospel which Gods Son, "the judge and teacher of grace and truth, the light and guide of the human race,"1 proclaimed on earth.

Such was the view of the Church Fathers and Doctors. In these outstanding literary monuments of antiquity, they recognized man’s spiritual preparation for the supernatural riches which Jesus Christ communicated to mankind “to give history its fulfillment.”

Thus the inauguration of Christianity did not mean the obliteration of man’s past achievements. Nothing was lost that was in any way true, just, noble and beautiful…"

- Veterum Sapienta

 

[Hokomai]

Not quite the case in South America.

 

[Bartolome_Casas]

Dear Fellow Forum Member,
Could you say more about what it is that you like about this papal document? What error or misunderstanding or oversight in our present day do you see this document as correcting? Or how does this document help you live in peace, charity and harmony with your family members, co-workers, or friends?
Thank you.

 

[ProVobis]

"…The wisdom of the ancient world, enshrined in Greek and Roman literature, and the truly memorable teaching of ancient peoples, served, surely, to herald the dawn of the Gospel which Gods Son, "the judge and teacher of grace and truth, the light and guide of the human race,"1 proclaimed on earth.

Such was the view of the Church Fathers and Doctors. In these outstanding literary monuments of antiquity, they recognized man’s spiritual preparation for the supernatural riches which Jesus Christ communicated to mankind “to give history its fulfillment.”

Thus the inauguration of Christianity did not mean the obliteration of man’s past achievements. Nothing was lost that was in any way true, just, noble and beautiful…"

- Veterum Sapienta

I wonder if, among other things, the Pope is referring to Cicero’s De Officiis, which Sts. Ambrose, Jerome, and Augustine chose to base their moral writings on. Cicero, of course, lived before Christ.

I was reading somewhere the after the Latin Vulgate, De Officiis was the most printed book when the Gutenberg press was set up.

 

[Vouthon]

Not quite the case in South America.

To this day, the Church in places such as Columbia has embraced many native traditions. Think of for example, “The Day of the Dead” (El Dia de los Muertos). This goes back to before the Spanish Conquest. The festival, celebrated across Latin America on 2nd November, includes a mixture of indigenous Latin American and Christian beliefs.

 

[Vouthon]

Dear Fellow Forum Member,
Could you say more about what it is that you like about this papal document? What error or misunderstanding or oversight in our present day do you see this document as correcting? Or how does this document help you live in peace, charity and harmony with your family members, co-workers, or friends?
Thank you.

My Dear Brother Bartolome (fantastic name btw, I love Bartolome des la Cases!)

It helps me understand the importance of “inculturation”, as well as preserving one’s cultural/religious heritage and not allowing this to be obscured by one’s embracing of Christianity, but purified from error and strengthened.

The document continues by explaining the importance of works of the Latin (Roman) and Greek ancient writers to the Catholic Church and Western Europe, how fundamental the Classics of Roman and Greek literature are to any truly Christian education - because they form the bedrock of our civilisarion’s “preparation” for the Gospel, containing as they did many “seeds of the Word” that God planted in this culture.

This teaches me to be respectful of the rich diversity which makes up the Catholic Church, and the spiritual heritage of people from China, who should embrace and love - for example - the great works of Taoism and Confucianism (the Tao te Ching and the Analects) written in the Chinese language.

I am reminded in this regard of these words of Pope John Paul II from his famous encyclical “Redemptoris Missio”:

"…Peoples everywhere, open the doors to Christ! His Gospel in no way detracts from the human person’s freedom, from the respect that is owed to every culture and to whatever is good in each religion. By accepting Christ, you open yourselves to the definitive Word of God, to the One in whom God has made himself fully known and has shown us the path to himself…The Church opens the doors and becomes the house which all may enter, and in which all can feel at home, while keeping their own cultures and traditions, provided these are not contrary to the Gospel…Under the impulse of the Spirit, the Christian faith is decisively opened to the “nations”…

It is the Spirit who is the source of the drive to press on, not only geographically but also beyond the frontiers of race and religion, for a truly universal mission…The Spirit’s presence and activity affect not only the individuals but also society and history, peoples, cultures and religions. Indeed, the Spirit is at the origin of the noble ideals and undertakings which benefit humanity on its journey through history: “The Spirit of God with marvelous foresight directs the course of the ages and renews the face of the earth”…

I have repeatedly called this fact to mind, and it has guided me in my meetings with a wide variety of peoples. The Church’s relationship with other religions is dictated by a twofold respect: “Respect for man in his quest for answers to the deepest questions of his life, and respect for the action of the Spirit in man.” The interreligious meeting held in Assisi was meant to confirm my conviction that “every authentic prayer is prompted by the Holy Spirit, who is mysteriously present in every human heart.”…Every form of the Spirit’s presence is to be welcomed with respect and gratitude, but the discernment of this presence is the responsibility of the Church, to which Christ gave his Spirit in order to guide her into all the truth…"

*- Blessed Pope John Paul II, Redemptoris Missio, 1990 *

I am also reminded of what the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council wrote in “Ad Gentes”:

“…Whatever truth and grace are to be found among the nations, as a sort of secret presence of God, this activity frees from all taint of evil and restores to Christ its Maker, who overthrows the devil’s domain and wards off the manifold malice of vice. And so, whatever good is found to be sown in the hearts and minds of men, or in the rites and cultures peculiar to various peoples, is not lost. More than that, it is healed, ennobled, and perfected for the glory of God, the same of the demon, and the bliss of men”

- Ad Gentes 9, Vatican II

 

[Vouthon]

I wonder if, among other things, the Pope is referring to Cicero’s De Officiis, which Sts. Ambrose, Jerome, and Augustine chose to base their moral writings on. Cicero, of course, lived before Christ.

I was reading somewhere the after the Latin Vulgate, De Officiis was the most printed book when the Gutenberg press was set up.

Thank you for this brother Vobis! I find it fascinating that this great Classical work was the most printed when the Gutenberg press was created. It demonstrates how Catholicism does not dilute or obscure the pagan heritage of Europe (where that heritage touches on the truth).

 

[Vouthon]

Even the name itself “Veterum Sapienta” is emotive with meaning.

In this document Blessed Pope John XIII pictures the veterum sapientia (ancient wisdom) of the Greeks and Romans as providing the soil for the Christian faith to take root in.

 

[Bartolome_Casas]

Brother Vouthon,

I think you are quoting texts that make some Catholics uncomfortable.

I have noticed that some Catholics seem to want to promote the idea that is REALLY hard for non-Catholics to please God and attain Eternal Life.

But the Blessed John XXIII, the Second Vatican Council, and Blessed John Paul II, per the quotes you gave us, did not say that. They said the opposite and carried out their pastoral duties that way. Yet, they never compromised the dogmas of the Faith!

I agree with you, and with Blessed John XXIII, the Second Vatican Council, and Blessed John Paul II.

Thank you.

Keep on shining the Light of the Splendor of the Truth.

Thank you for your praise for Bartolome de las Casas, the defender of the human rights and dignity of the peoples native to the Americas, against the treacherous and ravenous Conquistadors!