Sacra virginitas

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With the encyclical Sacra virginitas ( Latin for "holy virginity"), from March 25, 1954, Pope Pius XII praises . the people who dedicate themselves to the service of God in the state of virginity.

The circular consists of three major chapters: “The Nature and Dignity of Virginity” “Defense of Virginity Against False Teachings” and “Practical Conclusion”. In the closing words, the Pope addresses educators, parents and consecrated persons who are persecuted.

Celibacy and virginity

"The holy virginity and the perfect chastity consecrated to the service of God are undoubtedly among the most precious treasures that the founder of the Church has bequeathed to the community he founded."

The way of life of virginity and celibacy for the sake of the kingdom of heaven makes one free for undivided service to God. It also facilitates the spiritual and fruitful life in the apostolic class . Those who choose a life of celibacy around the kingdom of heaven are indispensable for the honor and glory of the church.

celibacy

The alumni who, according to the holy and fixed laws, undertake priestly celibacy should be brought up to this class with great care, they renounce it for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. (Compare: Optatam totius 2nd Vatican Council: Decree on the formation of priests of October 28, 1965). In addition, they are a living sign of the future world, already present in faith and love, in which the risen are neither free nor free. (Compare: Presbyterorum ordinis 2nd Vatican Council: Decree on the Service and Life of Priests December 7, 1965).

Doctrine of the Church

Pius XII. makes use of many statements made by the Church Fathers and Doctors of the Church , thereby underlining the value of the status of virgins for pastoral life and emphasizing that Christian virginity emerged from a long tradition of the Church:

“The holy fathers exhort virgins to love their divine Bridegroom more than they would love their own husband; Virginity is a virtue of angels . "

"The Catholic Church uses to call the virgins the Bride of Christ ."

“The perpetual virginity is an excellent good of essentially Christian character and differs from the pagan because it has a temporal character. The chastity but to preserve and perfect, there is an agent whose magnificent effectiveness has been confirmed by the repeated experience of centuries: a solid and burning devotion to the Virgin and Mother of God . Because she is, as Ambrose said, 'Master of virginity' and the powerful mother above all of souls consecrated to the service of God. "

"Perhaps no one has shown better than Augustine how important Christian humility is for the preservation of virginity."

Individual evidence

  1. ^ SV, introduction
  2. ^ "Optatam totius": Decree on the formation of priests . University of Innsbruck. July 3, 2002. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  3. ^ Presbyterorum Ordinis: Decree on the service and life of priests . University of Innsbruck. June 27, 2002. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  4. ↑ SV 15 u.27, by: Cyprian of Carthage
  5. ^ SV 14, after Athanasius the Great
  6. ↑ SV 1 and 58, after: Ambrose of Milan
  7. ^ SV 54, based on: Augustine von Hippo

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