CENTENNIAL



(ff)ur [[Beloved gBor

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ofupenor [ffeneral

of the (ffongregahon d cmissionary gBous of the

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Pope Pius XII

[[Beloved ds/on

9Cealil and [Apostolic <[J3enedichon.

It is indeed a happy presage, that, as

we look forward to the approaching Holy

Year recently proclaimed, tributes to the

Claretian Family and the splendor of its

holiness loom brilliantly before us, as you

celebrate the solemnities of the first

centennial. There is clear evidence that

this Congregation in the course of a

century, has so increased in the ranks of

Deacfcfiffed



its religious and so flourished around the

globe, that Spain and nearly all the

nations of the Americas, and portions of

Europe, as Portugal, England, France,

Germany, and Italy have felt the saving

influence of the Claretian Apostolate,

while regions of the Dark Continent and

the Asiatic lands have already begun to

enjoy the fruits of the ministrations of this

noble Congregation.

It is well known that your holy Father

and Founder, Blessed Anthony Mary

Claret, in his labors for the good of souls

achieved outstanding recognition for him-

self by keenly combining the discoveries

of advancing civilization with the practice

of the ancient virtues of the Gospel. He

taught his Missionaries to unite with the

contemplation of divine things and the

assiduous practice of all virtues, an active

life in the manifold duties of the sacred

ministry. To the preaching of the word

of God and the teaching of divine and

human sciences you. have added publi-

cations of salutary value which have

issued forth from your printing presses,

and have been widely distributed

throughout the nations. Who can tell the
good done by your apostolate of the

press, especially in these times when



there is so much filth being circulated in

vast numbers of pamphlets and mag-

azines by depraved men bent upon

perversion of soul and body? Nor have

books of superior merit originating from

your schools and printing-establishments

been wanting, notably in the field of

theology, philosophy, liturgy, and law.

Moreover, such a valuable periodical as

Commentarium pro Religiosis et Missio-

nariis has greatly furthered the sacred

mission movement, and Palaestra Latina

has nobly encouraged the pursuit of the

humanities.

Above all, not only have such great

and numerous enterprises been carried

on along with the constant exercise of

the sacred ministry and a high order of

teaching conforming to the newest stand-

ards of Catholic Action; these manifold

activities have in no way weakened the

ardor that ever inflames Claretians in the

pursuit of religious perfection. Many have

diligently sought to realize and reflect

the example of sanctity given by their

Blessed Founder. Holy Mother Church is

already examining their cause of canon-

ization, and also, of not a few Mission-

aries who, we have heard, shed their

blood in testimony of our holy faith.



Therefore, the Congregation you

govern has great reason to rejoice and

abound in gladness, when looking back

over the one hundred years of her

glorious life. The view of the tremendous

good accomplished thus far, in the midst

of countless adversities and difficulties,

makes one feel that the hour is at hand

to launch even greater and more ex-

tensive endeavors for God and the

Church. All who associate with you in

your activities, especially the teaching

Sisters of the Immaculate Conception,

assuredly share in your celebrations and

general rejoicing.

We are ever mindful of your loyalty to
the Chair of Blessed Peter. We know
well with what resourcefulness you have

fulfilled the duties entrusted to you by

the local Ordinaries and the Holy Apos-

tolic See, duties of pastoral care for souls,

of preaching missions, of teaching in Our

Pontifical Universities, and of weighty

responsibilities in the Roman Curia. We,

then, desiring to fill the measure of your

already great happiness, felicitate you

with paternal sentiments on this joyful

occasion, and lend Our Patronage to your

centennial celebration, by Our com-

mendations and prayers in its behalf.



On this memorable occasion we would
urge the Missionary Sons of the Blessed

Virgin Mary to follow closely the glorious

footsteps of their Blessed Founder, and to

work earnestly in the quest of religious

perfection, from which, as from a root,

will grow the life that will make them

better able to thrive, expand, and reap a

more abundant harvest of souls for God.

As a sign and pledge of Our special

love, We affectionately impart Our Apos-
tolic Benediction to you, Beloved Brother,

and to the Claretian Congregation, and

its auxiliaries, in particular, the teaching

Sisters of the Immaculate Conception.

Given at Rome, in St. Peter's, this 16th

day of July, Feast of Our Lady of Mt.

Carmel, of the year 1949, the eleventh of

Our Pontificate.



The Congregation of Missionary Sons of

the Immaculate Heart of Mary

(Claretians) was founded by Blessed

Anthony Mary Claret, July 16th, 1849,

in the city of Vich, Spain.



CENTENNIAL