On Oct. 24, Pope Francis published a new “Encyclical.” What is an Encyclical? “Encyclical” means a “circulated letter.” There are many types of Papal Documents the Pope releases, many dealing with particular issues, or legislation, etc. But an Encyclical is a teaching that is directed to the Universal Church, thus to be “circulated” throughout the world (as opposed to an “Apostolic Letter” which is directed to a more particular group or audience). Encyclicals tend to be pastoral in nature, simply meant to reflect on or teach or counsel the Universal Church on some aspect of the faith. They tend to be longer than other teaching documents (such as an “Apostolic Exhortation”). Encyclicals are one of the “highest and broadest” forms of a Pope’s teaching. In fact, if one wants to get an idea of the major “themes” or “ideas” of a Pope or their Papacy, you can get a good sense of this by reading their Papal Encyclicals. This is Pope Francis’ fourth Encyclical.
What is this newest Encyclical about? What is Pope Francis trying to teach us as the successor of St. Peter? This Encyclical is titled, “Dilexit Nos,” that is, “He Loved Us.” It is a reflection on the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, the nature of His Heart, the love that flows from that heart, and this transforms us and the world. In reflecting on these things he brings together the reflections and wisdom of various Saints who themselves were devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In the conclusion of this Encyclical, Pope Francis points out that the “social teaching” of his previous two Encyclicals (“Laudato Si” and “Fratelli Tutti”) are related to this, in fact flow from the “encounter with love of Jesus Christ. For it is by drinking of that same love that we become capable of forging bonds of fraternity, of recognizing the dignity of each human being, and of working together to care for our common home…
… Christ’s love can give a heart to our world and revive love wherever we think that the ability to love has been definitively lost….The wounded side of Christ continues to pour forth that stream which is never exhausted, never passes away, but offers itself time and time again to all those who wish to love as he did. For his love alone can bring about a new humanity” (Dilexit Nos, 217-219).
Some say this is the best and most beautiful thing Pope Francis has ever written, and from what I’ve read so far, I tend to agree. It would be worth your time to read through it, to reflect on it. You can find his words free online, either by simply searching for “Pope Francis – Dilexit Nos” or by going directly to the following link: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/20241024-enciclica-dilexit-nos.html
Peace,
-Fr. Kevin
“…encuentro con el amor de Jesucristo, ya que bebiendo de ese amor nos volvemos capaces de tejer lazos fraternos, de reconocer la dignidad de cada ser humano y de cuidar juntos nuestra casa común….
Él es capaz de darle corazón a esta tierra y reinventar el amor allí donde pensamos que la capacidad de amar ha muerto definitivamente.
De la herida del costado de Cristo sigue brotando ese río que jamás se agota, que no pasa, que se ofrece una y otra vez para quien quiera amar. Sólo su amor hará posible una humanidad nueva.” (Dilexit Nos, 217-219).
