THIRTEENTH DOCUMENT:   SOLEMN BEATIFICATIONS AND CANONISATIONS,
AND SOLEMN PROCLAMATIONS OF THE TITLE,
DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

Saint Charlemagne, Saint Philip II; Saint Pelagius; Saint Alphonsus X, the Wise; Saint Mary Jesus of Agreda; Saint Catherine Emmerich; Saint Francis and Saint Jacinta of Fatima; Saint Maximian and Saint Melanie of La Salette;

Doctors of the Church; Saint Paul of the Cross; Saint Mary Jesus of Agreda; Saint Catherine Emmerich;

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We, Supreme Pontiff, Vicar of Christ, Successor of Saint Peter, Servant of the Servants of God, Patriarch of Palmar de Troya.

We, as Universal Doctor of the Church, assisted by the Holy Ghost, examining the History of the Church, solemnly declare and proclaim; THE BEATIFICATION AND CANONISATION of the following servants of God, venerable members of the Mystical Body of Christ: We Beatify and Canonize, raising to the Glory of the Altar:

We, as Universal Doctor of the Church, declare and proclaim, in the dignity of Doctor of the Church:

We desire briefly to review certain historical passages regarding the life of sanctity and heroic virtue of the Saints We today have raised to the Glory of the Altar.

We shall begin by speaking of Saint Charlemagne, King of France and Emperor of the West. We know that Saint Charlemagne was a King who led a life of piety and was accustomed to the practice of prayer, penance and great fasts. His life was exemplary, a model worthy of imitation. Saint Charlemagne did not hesitate to raise his sword with effect against heretics, schismatics,  pagans, idolaters, and so forth.  Saint Charlemagne always had a true and ardent desire to conquer extensive lands for Christ.  We know that in this King, there was no spirit of personal ambition, since his battles and struggles were always directed towards the establishment of a Holy Empire, having as Head the Supreme Pontiff.  Saint Charlemagne supported the orders of the Supreme Pontiff, with the use of the sword of victory, accompanied by a life of penance and prayer.  Great and innumerable were the victories won by this Holy King.  There is no doubt that the victories were prodigious and miraculous, since the finger of God was directing his sword.  Saint Charlemagne lent great service to Our predecessor, the venerated Pope Saint Leo III, against the enemies of Christ and His Church.  Saint Charlemagne was crowned and proclaimed Emperor of the West by the Supreme Pontiff.

We now proceed to say something regarding the heroic and holy life of Saint Philip II, King of Spain and Emperor of the Most Christian Spanish Empire.  Saint Philip II was a King of irreproachable life, who in his days was an example of great virtues.  Saint Philip II, King of Spain, also did not hesitate to raise the sword with effect against every kind of heretic.  At the order of the Supreme Pontiff, he sent his troops to re‑establish Christianity in Europe and throw down the half‑moon of Mohammedanism, which, through Turkey, was sifting the foundations of Christianity. The King Saint Philip II fought courageously against heretics and schismatics.  Thanks to the intervention of this great King, Catholicism was preserved in Spain, and in all the provinces overseas subject to the Spanish Crown.  He contributed also to the preservation of Catholicism in many parts of Europe.  We know also that this holy King had the pious custom of hearing with devotion three Masses each day, if his occupations permitted, ‑ and of offering prayers with great frequency to the Mother of God.  It was also the custom of this holy King frequently to accompany the Blessed Sacrament in Eucharistic Processions.  Saint Philip II, King of Spain, obliged all his subjects to fulfill and obey the norms of the Sacred Council of Trent. He did not permit any kind of heresy within the Spanish Empire. Saint Philip II gave great help to the illustrious Saint Teresa of Jesus for the Carmelite Reform.  The King died, as he had lived, in holiness.

Saint Pelagius, Leader and King of Spain. This holy Leader was known always for his virtues and piety, and as a warrior against heretics.  Saint Pelagius, in Asturias, in the place called Covadonga, began the great reconquest of the lands of Spain for Christ.  Saint Pelagius, assisted by the most powerful intervention of the Virgin Mary, as also by various Apparitions of Saint James the Apostle and of other Saints, conquered the invading Mohammedan hosts, and, in this way, roused other Spanish Christians to seize their swords in the face of the Mohammedans, and thus initiate the Christian Kingdoms, which later, during various stages, would be joined and consolidated in Unity under the Catholic Sovereigns. The mortal remains of Saint Pelagius rest in Covadonga.

Saint Alphonsus X, the Wise. This holy King raised his victorious sword against the Mohammedans, as his father had done before him, King Saint Ferdinand.  Saint Alphonsus the Wise conquered many parts of Southern Spain, among these, notably, the City of Jerez in the Province of Cadiz.  The life of this King was a model of holiness and heroic virtues. This King learned from his father love of God and of the Church. This holy King distinguished himself for great devotion to the Most Holy Virgin Mary.  He was a son who loved the Most Holy Virgin to the degree of folly.  His songs to Mary are famous.  Saint Alphonsus X, the Wise, died leaving a fame of sanctity, such as he had lived.  His mortal remains rest in the Chapel of the Virgin of the Kings, in Seville, near the tomb of Saint Ferdinand.

Saint Mary Jesus of Agreda, Doctor of the Church. Her life was admirable, full of examples of holiness, a life devoted to prayer, penance, and great mortifications.  She has left us marvelous writings, which teach us to love God, the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Church.  We recommend the reading of the "Mystical City of God", written by Saint Mary Jesus of Agreda.

Saint Catherine Emmerich, Doctor of the Church.  This German Saint lived profoundly the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Her life was one of authentic mortification.

Saint Francis and Saint Jacinta of Fatima.  These two children gave visible proof of a holy and heroic life.  They were favoured with the maternal caresses of the Virgin Mary, in Fatima, Portugal.  Saint Jacinta of Fatima had Visions regarding the present day.  These two Saints made much reparation for the offences directed by sinners against God; and they prayed intensely for the conversion of sinners.

Saint Maximian and Saint Melanie of La Salette.  These two Saints and Mystics gave proof of an authentic life of holiness and heroism.  They received Heavenly Messages to assist the Church in years to come.  They were terribly calumniated and insulted, even by the Bishop of the Place, who dared to hurl calumnies against these two Saints. This Bishop suffered death in despair; he died horribly, cursing the while.  We condemn all publications of calumnies against the exemplary lives of Saint Maximian and Saint Melanie of La Salette, France.

We wish to point out for the faithful, the wise and inspired Doctrine which Saint Paul of the Cross, Founder of the Passionists, gave to the Church.  If we wish to penetrate into the Sacrosanct Passion of Christ, let us read Saint Paul of the Cross, who from today is Doctor of the Church.

We are disposed, through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, to distinguish Our Pontificate by the elevation of innumerable Saints to the Altars, ‑ Saints who will be great intercessors in this Apocalyptic hour in the life of the Church.

We ardently desire that the faithful take great interest in seeking the life history of these exemplary Saints; since in this way they will encounter many paths leading to sanctity.  Let us not forget, we are all called to sanctity; the problem is how to attain to it.  All depends upon our co‑operation with grace.

We declare that we are at the beginning of an era to be distinguished by innumerable Saints and Martyrs, who will offer their lives for Christ and for His Church, and who will fight against Antichrist.  We wish to recall that the French Saint, Teresa of the Child Jesus, felt a holy envy of the martyrs of the last times.  We exhort you to entreat the intercession of the Saints whom today We have raised to the Altar, in order to be strengthened in Faith, and disposed to give our lives for Christ and His Church.  We hope for copious Heavenly Graces through these Saints, in order to attain to sanctity.

Given in Seville, at the Apostolic See, the 14th. of September, Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Year of Our Lord MCMLXXVIII.

With Our Apostolic Blessing.

Gregorius XVII, P. P. Pontifex Maximus.

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