Gloriosam Reginam
Encyclopedia
Gloriosam Reginam is an Apostolic Letter of Pope Pius XII
to the Polish
episcopate, to protest
against the persecution
of the Church in Poland, and, to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Jasna Góra, the Polish sanctuary of the Virgin Mary. The invincible Mother of God, who watches over the freedom for Poland, will most certainly assist.
Gloriosam Reginam begins with a review of the historic attachment of the Polish faithful to the Virgin Mary
. She in turn was pleased to always assist the Polish people. The larger the difficulties and dangers, the more obvious was her help. In 1655 Protestant invadors from Sweden
easily took Warsow
and Kraków
, leaving Jasna Góra as the last symbol of Polish freedom. But the Abbot
of the monastery, Augustyn Kordecki
, did not lose courage, and, appealing to the Mother of God, inspired Polish defenders to extreme resistance. The tide turned and Poland regained its freedom. Consequently, King Kasimir named the Virgin Mary patron and Queen of Poland. Pope Pius XI
created a special Polish feast day to the Virgin as Queen of Poland, to be celebrated May 3 of every year.
This proves, so Pope Pius, that the virgin can be trusted to save the Polish people at any time. The Catholic faith is the most valuable treasure of the Polish people, a true source of strength in difficult times. Poles, over the centuries stood loyal to the Holy Apostolic See
. Poles withstand the subtle and not so subtle advances of atheist propaganda.
teachings. Pope Pius suggests to his readers, to look up to the powerful virgin, in case they are afraid. The most blessed Mother will never abandon her faithful and beloved Polish people. The Pope reminds his readers, that he castigated anti-Christian religious persecutions many times before. The persecution got worse, not only in Poland but in other countries too. Priests and Bishops are incarcerated under most awful circumstances, or they are under house arrest, unable to be pastorally active. Religious were forced to leave their houses, Catholic organizations were dissolved, all Catholic media closed, Catholic schools closed or robbed of their rights.
In the following part, Pope Pius XII critiques some unnamed Polish clergy
, for meddling in affairs, which are none of their business, and for giving sermons and press releases, which are misleading, as they are based on wrong principles and false teachings. He reminds his readers, that he led worldwide protests against the incarceration of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński two years earlier. Many countries living in freedom joined in his protest. But Polish bishops are still incarcerated or kept from their offices. The invincible Mother of God who watches over the freedom for Poland, will most certainly assist. The Pope concludes, it is most justified, to memorize her and thank her for the liberation from the most terrible occupation. Pope Pius XII concludes his letter with his best wishes to Poles all over the world, and his Apostolic Blessing.
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
to the Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
episcopate, to protest
Protest
A protest is an expression of objection, by words or by actions, to particular events, policies or situations. Protests can take many different forms, from individual statements to mass demonstrations...
against the persecution
Persecution
Persecution is the systematic mistreatment of an individual or group by another group. The most common forms are religious persecution, ethnic persecution, and political persecution, though there is naturally some overlap between these terms. The inflicting of suffering, harassment, isolation,...
of the Church in Poland, and, to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Jasna Góra, the Polish sanctuary of the Virgin Mary. The invincible Mother of God, who watches over the freedom for Poland, will most certainly assist.
Gloriosam Reginam begins with a review of the historic attachment of the Polish faithful to the Virgin Mary
Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic)
Roman Catholic veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary is based on Holy Scripture: In the fullness of time, God sent his son, born of a virgin. The mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God through Mary thus signifies her honour as Mother of God...
. She in turn was pleased to always assist the Polish people. The larger the difficulties and dangers, the more obvious was her help. In 1655 Protestant invadors from Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
easily took Warsow
Warsow
Warsow is a municipality in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany....
and Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
, leaving Jasna Góra as the last symbol of Polish freedom. But the Abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
of the monastery, Augustyn Kordecki
Augustyn Kordecki
Abbot Augustyn, or Abbot Augustyn Kordecki real name: Klemens Kordecki Ślepowron Coat of Arms was a prior of the Jasna Góra Monastery, Poland....
, did not lose courage, and, appealing to the Mother of God, inspired Polish defenders to extreme resistance. The tide turned and Poland regained its freedom. Consequently, King Kasimir named the Virgin Mary patron and Queen of Poland. Pope Pius XI
Pope Pius XI
Pope Pius XI , born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, was Pope from 6 February 1922, and sovereign of Vatican City from its creation as an independent state on 11 February 1929 until his death on 10 February 1939...
created a special Polish feast day to the Virgin as Queen of Poland, to be celebrated May 3 of every year.
This proves, so Pope Pius, that the virgin can be trusted to save the Polish people at any time. The Catholic faith is the most valuable treasure of the Polish people, a true source of strength in difficult times. Poles, over the centuries stood loyal to the Holy Apostolic See
Apostolic See
In Christianity, an apostolic see is any episcopal see whose foundation is attributed to one or more of the apostles of Jesus.Out of the many such sees, five acquired special importance in Chalcedonian Christianity and became classified as the Pentarchy in Eastern Orthodox Christianity...
. Poles withstand the subtle and not so subtle advances of atheist propaganda.
-
- Poles are not afraid in heavy storms. They maintain their calmness, firmness and dignity, trusting in the Most High and Eternal God, to whom nothing is impossible. He subdues in short time and with modest means, everything and everybody powerful and arrogant.
Persecution
All events, including the bad ones experienced at present, are subject to the hidden plans of God. To endure the present calamities, it is necessary to be strong in hope and faith, and, to live publicly and privately, like a reflection of GospelGospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
teachings. Pope Pius suggests to his readers, to look up to the powerful virgin, in case they are afraid. The most blessed Mother will never abandon her faithful and beloved Polish people. The Pope reminds his readers, that he castigated anti-Christian religious persecutions many times before. The persecution got worse, not only in Poland but in other countries too. Priests and Bishops are incarcerated under most awful circumstances, or they are under house arrest, unable to be pastorally active. Religious were forced to leave their houses, Catholic organizations were dissolved, all Catholic media closed, Catholic schools closed or robbed of their rights.
-
- We paternally hug all these brothers and sons of ours, so dear to us, because they suffer innocently for truth and justice, and once again we recommend them and all their intentions most ardently to our Lord God, the most generous source of consolation and eternal rewards.
In the following part, Pope Pius XII critiques some unnamed Polish clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
, for meddling in affairs, which are none of their business, and for giving sermons and press releases, which are misleading, as they are based on wrong principles and false teachings. He reminds his readers, that he led worldwide protests against the incarceration of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński two years earlier. Many countries living in freedom joined in his protest. But Polish bishops are still incarcerated or kept from their offices. The invincible Mother of God who watches over the freedom for Poland, will most certainly assist. The Pope concludes, it is most justified, to memorize her and thank her for the liberation from the most terrible occupation. Pope Pius XII concludes his letter with his best wishes to Poles all over the world, and his Apostolic Blessing.