SALUTIS
NOSTRAE (Proclaiming a Universal Jubilee)
Pope
Clement XIV
Encyclical of
Pope Clement XIV promulgated on 30 April 1774.
Clement, Bishop and Servant of the Servants of
God.
Our Greetings and Apostolic Blessing to all the
Faithful who read this Letter.
Our salvation was accomplished when Our Lord
Jesus Christ by His passion and death rescued men from their ancient slavery to
sin and gave them life and freedom as sons of God, coheirs of His own glory. As
an additional benefit He has given them a means of expiating sin when by the
weakness of their nature and their own wickedness they wretchedly abandon their
excellent state as heirs of God. By giving to the Prince of the Apostles the
power of forgiving sins together with the keys of the heavenly kingdom, He made
it possible for sinners to be restored to their former righteousness and to
receive the fruits of redemption.
2. Since this is the only way for sinners to
recover divine grace and salvation, the successors of St. Peter have made it
their chief concern to summon all men to this fountain of mercy. They have done
this by offering the promise of forgiveness to the repentant and by encouraging
sinners by every means to seek remission.
Although this has been a constant concern of
their Apostolic ministry, they also wanted to establish some especially
suitable times for summoning sinners to repentance. In this way, they could
make available to all the treasure of indulgence entrusted to their keeping.
Accordingly, so as not to deprive any generation of the great benefit of
propitiation, they decided to celebrate every twenty-five years a holy year of
jubilee, a year of forgiveness and grace. They established this merciful refuge
in this holy city. We follow this salutary custom in announcing that the year
which is now approaching will be a Holy Year. We urge you to effect
salvation for your souls by utilizing the aids which are available for your
sanctification. We shall unlock all the riches of mercy proceeding from the
blood of Christ which have been entrusted to Our dispensing. Moreover We shall
open for you the rich store of satisfaction formed by the merits of the most
holy mother of God and the apostles, by the blood of the martyrs and by the
virtuous actions of all good men; this will render peace and forgiveness more
accessible. For assuredly, as we are gathered together in the one body of the
Church which is the Body of Christ, we are joined with the illustrious society
and communion of the saints. All of us are cleansed and made alive by the blood
of Christ, and we can benefit each other. For Christ has desired that His great
love and mercy and the infinite force of His passion and merits should be made
more resplendent by the addition of the other parts of His mystical body. In
this way men should be helped both by reciprocal action among themselves and by
the sharing of benefits flowing from that source of grace. Then God would be
moved to show clemency to us for the sake of His Son's goodness and the infinite
value of His blood, as well as by the merits of the saints and by prayerful
petition.
So We summon you to share in this richness of
indulgence, in these treasures of the Church. In accordance with traditional
practice, and in agreement with the cardinals, by the authority of Almighty
God, of the blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and of Ourselves, for the glory of
God, the exaltation of the Catholic Church and the sanctification of the entire
Christian people, We proclaim and promulgate that the great universal jubilee
of the Holy Year is to be celebrated in Rome next year, 1775, beginning at
first Vespers on this Christmas Eve and lasting a full year.
3. During this year of jubilee We grant and
impart in the Lord a full indulgence, remission, and forgiveness of all their
sins to all the faithful of either sex who confess their sins with true
repentance, receive Holy Communion, and devoutly visit the city basilicas of
Sts. Peter and Paul, St. John Lateran, and St. Mary Major; in addition, they
must pray to God for the exaltation of Holy Church, the destruction of
heresies, peace among Catholic rulers, and the safety and quiet of the
Christian people. Roman and residents of
4. Some of those who set out for
5. Do not let these days of salvation pass by
without using the great opportunity to appease divine justice and obtain grace.
For it is not fitting that you should be less eager in obtaining the abundance
of heavenly grace and in visiting the courts of the Lord than men greedy for
profit or zealous for travel. Yet these allow no inconveniences or hindrances
to detain them. The very labors, if they are undertaken with the proper
intentions, can be of great assistance in gathering the rich fruits of penance.
It was for this reason that the Church has always regarded the ancient custom
of making pilgrimages as very beneficial. The troubles and weariness incurred
in the course of pilgrimage make reparation for past sins and strengthen the
desire of repentance. Even if ardent resolution and love for God remove or
lighten your experience of such troubles, this eagerness of spirit is very
powerful in obtaining forgiveness and is accounted part of the satisfaction due
for sins since much is forgiven the one who loves much.
Therefore, go up to the city of
6. Venerable brothers, patriarchs, primates,
archbishops, and bishops, assist Us in these concerns and proclaim this time of
repentance and reconciliation to the peoples entrusted to your care. By means
of diligence and influence, see to it that this opportunity of obtaining forgiveness,
which making available to all, occasions the greatest benefit for the salvation
of souls. Let them know what works of Christian humility and mercy they should
perform to prepare themselves for gathering this great harvest of heavenly
grace. Let them understand by your words and your example that they should
fast, pray, and give alms. All of you who will add this task to your pastoral
cares should bring a section of your flock to this citadel of religion and
source of mercy, to Our fatherly welcome and embrace. Your visit will add
luster to Our celebration and you will, of course, obtain great stores of
divine mercy from so fine and laborious an undertaking. You will carry home
those stores like rich cargo and joyfully share them with the rest of your people.
7. We are perfectly sure that Our beloved sons
in Christ, the emperor-elect and all Catholic kings and princes, will use their
authority to assist Us in ensuring that Our plans for the salvation of souls
will enjoy the great success which We desire. So We strongly urge and beseech
them in their zeal for religion to act in unison with the bishops, and provide
safe roads and inns for the pilgrims. They know well that these actions will
benefit the peace of the realm and that God Himself will be appeased and
favorable towards them in accordance with their own care to increase His glory
among the people.
8. In order that this letter may more readily
come to the knowledge of all the faithful in every place, We wish printed
copies of it, signed by the public notary and with the seal of a person of
ecclesiastical rank affixed, to be accepted exactly as if they were the
original.
9. May no one be permitted to curtail this
expression of Our proclamation, promulgation,
concession, exhortation, request and desire or act against it in rash daring.
But if anyone tries to do so he knows he will incur the wrath of Almighty God
and of His blessed apostles, Peter and Paul.
Given at