Aeterni Patris ( English: Of the Eternal Father) was an encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIII in August 1879, (not to be confused with the apostolic letter of the same name written by Pope Pius IX in 1868 calling the First Vatican Council ). Pope Leo XIII had recognized the detrimental effects to both society and religion when reason is privileged over faith. He is praised for collecting together all the other arguments of scholastics, and then made valuable additions as well. With his spirit at once humble and swift, his memory ready and tenacious, his life spotless throughout, a lover of truth for its own sake, richly endowed with human and divine science, like the sun he heated the world with the warmth of his virtues and filled it with the splendor of his teaching. The examples of the Apostle Pauls use of Greek philosophy in Athens (17:1634[permanent dead link]) and Davids use of Goliaths sword (Samuel 17:5054[permanent dead link]) are given as literal and metaphorical examples of using philosophy in a defensive and offensive manner. Cajetan's commentary on Sum. Philosophy is characterized as both a defensive and offensive tool of faith. 29. The encyclical, however, was no surprise to any acquainted with Cardinal Pecci, who had for years been spearheading a Thomistic renaissance in the schools in his diocese of Perugia, leading to such theologians and philosophers as Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, Etienne Gilson, and Jacques Maritain. The Patris left Piraeus, Greece, for her first immigrant voyage to Australia on 14 December 1959 . Wherefore, it is the glory of philosophy to be esteemed as the bulwark of faith and the strong defense of religion. Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. The ecumenical councils, also, where blossoms the flower of all earthly wisdom, have always been careful to hold Thomas Aquinas in singular honor. 21. Then came the Scholastics of the Middle Ages, who brought together and bound into one harmonious whole, by a system of philosophy, the Christian wisdom of the Fathers. Although the Patris' accommodation was relatively basic compared to later Chandris ships, it was still popular with its passengers. Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more all for only $19.99. Although philosophy can and has deceived men about important matters, it is also capable of illuminating the other sciences. Moreover, the Angelic Doctor pushed his philosophic inquiry into the reasons and principles of things, which because they are most comprehensive and contain in their bosom, so to say, the seeds of almost infinite truths, were to be unfolded in good time by later masters and with a goodly yield. Justly, therefore, does the Vatican Council commemorate in these words the great benefits which faith has conferred upon reason: Faith frees and saves reason from error, and endows it with manifold knowledge. In the fourth paragraph, the encyclical begins to articulate the ways in which philosophy can aid and complement true faith. 12. For, a multiform system of this kind, which depends on the authority and choice of any professor, has a foundation open to change, and consequently gives us a philosophy not firm, and stable, and robust like that of old, but tottering and feeble. This point is developed in the encyclical Arcanum. He published many volumes, involving great labor, which were wonderfully adapted to explain the divine writings and illustrate the sacred dogmas; which, though, as they now stand, not altogether free from error, contain nevertheless a wealth of knowledge tending to the growth and advance of natural truths. But one should be very careful lest all or his chief labor be exhausted in these pursuits and in mere erudition. Pope Leo XIII had recognized the detrimental effects to both society and religion when reason is privileged over faith. They, indeed, were wont neither to belittle nor undervalue the part that reason had to play, as is summed up by the great Augustine when he attributes to this science "that by which the most wholesome faith is begotten . The first is the apostolic letter of June 29, 1868, convoking the Vatican Council I; it indicates the office of the pope as guardian of faith and morals, the role of ecumenical councils, and summarizes the then prevailing dangers to faith and morals. But the truth unfolded by reason cannot contradict the truths revealed by God; hence, although in the pursuit of natural knowledge philosophy may justly use its own method, principles, and arguments, yet not so as to withdraw from the authority of Divine revelation. On which point the words of Blessed Urban V to the University of Toulouse are worthy of recall: "It is our will, which We hereby enjoin upon you, that ye follow the teaching of Blessed Thomas as the true and Catholic doctrine and that ye labor with all your force to profit by the same. Whoever denies that such study and practice tend to add to the resources and expand the faculties of the mind must necessarily and absurdly hold that the mind gains nothing from discriminating between the true and the false. 24. The document ends with an invocation of Gods grace and the blessing of the saints, for the important work that is recommended in the encyclical. It was subtitled "On the Restoration of Christian Philosophy in Catholic Schools in the Spirit (ad mentem) of the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas". And with regard, venerable brethren, to the origin, drift, and excellence of this scholastic learning, it may be well here to speak more fully in the words of one of the wisest of Our predecessors, Sixtus V: "By the divine favor of Him who alone gives the spirit of science wisdom, and understanding, and who thou ages, as there may be need, enriches His Church with new blessings and strengthens it with safeguards, there was founded by Our fathers, men of eminent wisdom, the scholastic theology, which two glorious doctors in particular angelic St. Thomas and the seraphic St. Bonaventure, illustrious teachers of this faculty, . The Encyclical next shows, by extracts from many Fathers of the Church, what reason helped by revelation can do for the progress of human knowledge. It is dated Rome, 29 June, 1868. (32) But the writings on the human soul, the divine attributes, and other questions of mighty moment which the great Athanasius and Chrysostom, the prince of orators, have left behind them are, by common consent, so supremely excellent that it seems scarcely anything could be added to their subtlety and fulness. 11. New Catholic Encyclopedia. And both Gregory of Nazianzen(12) and Gregory of Nyssa(13)praise and commend a like mode of disputation in Basil the Great; while Jerome(14) especially commends it in Quadratus, a disciple of the Apostles, in Aristides, Justin, Irenaeus, and very many others. Therefore, its best to use Encyclopedia.com citations as a starting point before checking the style against your school or publications requirements and the most-recent information available at these sites: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html. Whoso turns his attention to the bitter strifes of these days and seeks a reason for the troubles that vex public and private life must come to the conclusion that a fruitful cause of the evils which now afflict, as well as those which threaten, us lies in this: that false conclusions concerning divine and human things, which originated in the schools of philosophy, have now crept into all the orders of the State, and have been accepted by the common consent of the masses. . 5. Aeterni Patris, an encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIII on Aug. 4, 1879, which strengthened the position of the philosophical system of the medieval Scholastic philosopher-theologian St. Thomas Aquinas and soon made Thomism the dominant philosophical viewpoint in Roman Catholicism. One of the best known French Dominicans of the twentieth century was Rginald Garrigou-Lagrange (18771964), who influenced generations of students during his tenure at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome. These developments and contributions can be seen as a natural consequence of the aim of Aeterni Patris to bring faith and reason together in a fruitful dialectic. Whereas, on the other hand, if men be of sound mind and take their stand on true and solid principles, there will result a vast amount of benefits for the public and private good. For these reasons most learned men, in former ages especially, of the highest repute in theology and philosophy, after mastering with infinite pains the immortal works of Thomas, gave themselves up not so much to be instructed in his angelic wisdom as to be nourished upon it. Gilson founded the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies in Toronto, Ontario. ." Inst., 7, 7 (PL 6, 759). Those, therefore, who to the study of philosophy unite obedience to the Christian faith, are philosophizing in the best possible way; for the splendor of the divine truths, received into the mind, helps the understanding, and not only detracts in nowise from its dignity, but adds greatly to its nobility, keenness, and stability. First Vatican Council - the Vatican Council in 1869-1870 that proclaimed the infallibility of the pope when speaking ex cathedra Vatican I Vatican. .with surpassing genius, by unwearied diligence, and at the cost of long labors and vigils, set in order and beautified, and when skilfuly arranged and clearly explained in a variety of ways, handed down to posterity. The purpose of Leo XIII was the revival of St. Thomass philosophy and the continuing of his spirit of investigation, but not necessarily the adoption of every argument and opinion to be found in the works of the scholastics. Hence, in the Popes appeal to the bishops of the Christian world to help in restoring and spreading the wisdom (sapientiam) of St. Thomas, he repeats, Sapientiam Sancti Thomae dicimus, because, as he explains, he does not at all ask to have the excessive subtilties of some scholastics revived, nor opinions which later investigations have exploded. But Augustine would seem to have wrested the palm from all. Thomism and the Magisterium: From Aeterni Patris to Veritatis Splendor,, This page was last edited on 2 January 2023, at 23:54. A aeterni patris summary to faith is that of St. Thomas is given at the very beginning: " and! (21), 7. terni Patris. The aim . 28. Noun 1. 3. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. Pope Leo fears that many philosophers were forsaking the solid philosophical foundation of antiquity and turning toward a foundation open to change. And another danger: while Leo affirms the important work of scholarship, he cautions that philosophical pursuits should not be characterized by mere erudition; what is required, rather, is an authentic development of learning. MacIntyre ultimately conducts a complex series of both interior and exterior critiques of the encyclopaedic and genealogical positions in an attempt to vindicate philosophical Thomism as the most persuasive form of moral inquiry. Its purpose was the revival of Scholastic philosophy, according to the mind of St. Thomas Aquinas. 13. The Need for a Thomistic and Scholastic Renaissance. 32.34. (10) But it is most fitting to turn these truths, which have been discovered by the pagan sages even, to the use and purposes of revealed doctrine, in order to show that both human wisdom and the very testimony of our adversaries serve to support the Christian faith-a method which is not of recent introduction, but of established use, and has often been adopted by the holy Fathers of the Church. The twenty-first paragraph of the encyclical continues the list of testimonials to St. Thomass greatness by mentioning some of the popes who have honored, borrowed from, and praised the work of St. Thomas. Therefore, Divine Providence itself requires that, in calling back the people to the paths of faith and salvation, advantage should be taken of human science also-an approved and wise practice which history testifies was observed by the most illustrious Fathers of the Church. In paragraph 16, the praise of scholastic theology is extended to the philosophy upon which it is based. Carm., 1, Iamb. All know how the fame of these seats of learning grew with their years, and that their judgment, often asked in matters of grave moment, held great weight everywhere. The sixth paragraph draws attention to the fact that sacred theology requires philosophy in order to be a genuine science: in order to assume the nature, form, and genius of a true science, theology requires the solid foundation of philosophy. We do not, indeed, attribute such force and authority to philosophy as to esteem it equal to the task of combating and rooting out all errors; for, when the Christian religion was first constituted, it came upon earth to restore it to its primeval dignity by the admirable light of faith, diffused "not by persuasive words of human wisdom, but in the manifestation of spirit and of power",(3) so also at the present time we look above all things to the powerful help of Almighty God to bring back to a right understanding the minds of man and dispel the darkness of error. Reason is characterized as a steppingstone to Christian faith, in that philosophy, when used rightly, fortifies the road to faith and prepares the soul for fit reception of revelation. Nor will the physical sciences themselves, which are now in such great repute, and by the renown of so many inventions draw such universal admiration to themselves, suffer detriment, but find very great assistance in the restoration of the ancient philosophy. 31. "And, indeed, the knowledge and use of so salutary a science, which flows from the fertilizing founts of the sacred writings, the sovereign Pontiffs, the holy Fathers and the councils, must always be of the greatest assistance to the Church, whether with the view of really and soundly understanding and interpreting the Scriptures, or more safely and to better purpose reading and explaining the Fathers, or for exposing and refuting the various errors and heresies; and in these late days, when those dangerous times described by the Apostle are already upon us, when the blasphemers, the proud, and the seducers go from bad to worse, erring themselves and causing others to err, there is surely a very great need of confirming the dogmas of Catholic faith and confuting heresies.". It opens with the consideration that the Church, although . The human mind is limited and needs the truth of revelation to avoid error. The centenary year of Aeterni Patris, however,leaves many questions seeking answers. v. b. brezik, CSB (ed. Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA). Both paragraphs use ornamental language in speaking of the beauty of the pure streams from the precious fountainhead of the Angelic Doctor. The language may appeal implicitly to a Thomistic understanding of Beauty as a transcendental quality inseparable from the Good and the Truth. (8) And, assuredly, the God of all goodness, in all that pertains to divine things, has not only manifested by the light of faith those truths which human intelligence could not attain of itself, but others, also, not altogether unattainable by reason, that by the help of divine authority they may be made known to all at once and without any admixture of error. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 4. And, here, how pleasantly one's thoughts fly back to those celebrated schools and universities which flourished of old in Europe - to Paris, Salamanca, Alcal, to Douay, Toulouse, and Louvain, to Padua and Bologna, to Naples and Coimbra, and to many another! An encyclical letter of Pope Leo XIII (issued 4 August, 1879); not to be confused with the apostolic letter of the same name written by Pope Pius IX. As it is evident that very many truths of the supernatural order which are far beyond the reach of the keenest intellect must be accepted, human reason, conscious of its own infirmity, dare not affect to itself too great powers, nor deny those truths, nor measure them by its own standard, nor interpret them at will; but receive them, rather, with a full and humble faith, and esteem it the highest honor to be allowed to wait upon heavenly doctrines like a handmaid and attendant, and by God's goodness attain to them in any way whatsoever. 10, p. 174, n.6. And here it is well to note that our philosophy can only by the grossest injustice be accused of being opposed to the advance and development of natural science.
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