"SOLEMN ELEVATION TO THE GLORY OF THE ALTARS OF CERTAIN EMINENT MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH, AND SOLEMN DECLARATION OF SOME AS DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH."

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, inspired by the most potent light of the Holy Ghost, comprehending the sense of the Church, and examining the historical facts,‑ through this Solemn Beatification and Canonisation of the following eminent members of the Mystical Body of Christ, solemnly declare and proclaim:

We, with great joy, on this day raise to the exalted dignity of the glory of the altars;

1.‑  Fra Luis de Leon, Spain.

2.‑  Fra Luis de Granada, Spain.

3.‑  Fra Isidore Isolano (Fra Isidore of Milan), Italy.

4.‑  Conception Barrecheguren, Spain.

5.‑  Father Francisco Barrecheguren, Spain.

6.‑  Mother Maria Ana Mogas Fontcuberta Torras Pove, Spain.

7.‑  Father Joseph Mananet, Spain.

8.‑  Mother Catherine Aurelie of the Most Precious Blood, Canada.

We, as Universal Doctor of the Church, solemnly declare and proclaim the life of sanctity and heroic virtue of those whom today We have raised to the altars.

We observe that in each one of these there is a clear and striking desire always to fulfill the will of God.  All of these, each in the distinct path God had marked out for him, met with great obstacles and changes of circumstance. In spite of the innumerable adversities they had to endure, they did not lose heart,‑ rather to the contrary, they persevered and advanced in pursuit of the glory of God and the salvation of souls.  These saints went on with burning zeal in spite of the inevitable temptations, incomprehension, and opposition of those who did not understand their mission.  As example of such opposition, we mention the sufferings of Saint Luis de Leon, who, accused by certain envious enemies, was obliged to appear before the Tribunal of the Holy Inquisition. God, in his Infinite wisdom and mercy, permitted that Saint Luis de Leon appear before the Holy Inquisition, as it turned out to his greater glory, inasmuch as the Holy Tribunal, finding nothing with which to reproach him, freed him from all blame. We who are acquainted with the procedure of the Tribunal of the Holy Inquisition, know that such acquittal is a clear proof of innocence, since the Holy Tribunal applies justice with true impartiality.

We desire to teach all the faithful that the Tribunal of the Holy Inquisition has contributed a great service to the Church, by maintaining the orthodoxy of the Catholic Faith in the face of every kind of heresy.  It is a beautiful thing for us to be able to have the marvelous writings of great saints, after having been scrutinized in minute detail by the Holy Tribunal of the Inquisition.

We know that many saints passed through the purifying and necessary trial before the high Tribunal of the Holy Inquisition.  It contributes to the greater tranquility of the Church, when we can venerate the great and holy figures of those saints who have received approbation by the Holy Inquisition.

We, as Vicar of Christ on earth, and as Supreme Guardian of the orthodoxy of Catholic Faith, avail Ourselves of the Present Document in order to render homage and gratitude to the Tribunal of the Holy Inquisition.

We desire openly to acknowledge that, while Europe of the XVI century was swarming with great heresies, at the very same time, Spain was putting new vigour into the Catholic Faith, and at all costs, condemning heresies. The Holy Inquisition contributed with holy might, in blocking the entrance of Protestantism into Spain. This high tribunal was always blessed by Our venerated predecessor Saint Pius V, who with holy zeal boasted the title of Grand Inquisitor.

Other Supreme Pontiffs also contributed their paternal help to the great work of the Tribunal of the Holy Inquisition.  We say to you, very beloved children, beware of those accursed books written against the Holy Inquisition,‑ accursed and heretical books, inspired by Satan himself through the instrumentality of Masonry.

We desire to make quite clear the invaluable contribution to the Catholic Church made by the Holy Inquisition.  A proof of this fact clearly shows itself in the innumerable inquisitors who attained sanctity and the approbation of Our venerated predecessors.  We declare once again: the Church cannot deceive nor be deceived.

We, as Supreme Pontiff, with the authority with which we are vested, declare:  If anyone, be it in preaching, writing, or otherwise, dare to condemn the marvelous work of the Holy inquisition, let him be anathema.

We ardently desire that all the faithful acknowledge the great work for the Church of the Tribunal of the Holy Inquisition.

We, as Universal Doctor of the Church, place before you this consideration for your further reflexion .  During centuries and centuries the Church has taught the lawfulness of the penalty of death, in judging those persons who commit murder,‑ given that judges represent the authority of God in the administration of justice. Indeed, it would itself be a terrible crime to allow criminals to remain within society.  It pertains to justice to condemn him who murders.

We reason that the lawfulness of condemning a criminal to death, is based on the logical principle of getting rid of the rotten apples, to keep the rot from spreading to the good apples,‑ and as well, to prevent murder in mass, since an individual capable of murdering one is capable of murdering more.  Hence we conclude that the penalty of death for murderers is necessary.

We Wish to point out that it is unreasonable to say: "No one may take justice into his own hands",‑ because a just judge of Catholic principles, naturally represents God; and consequently administers justice in the name of God.  We may not forget that God, whom we know to be infinitely good, is also infinitely just,‑ the remunerator who rewards the good and punishes the bad.  Whence we wisely conclude:  a judge who truly represents God, is obliged to be remunerator; he must condemn with all justice, otherwise he comes to participate with the criminals.

Here We have first considered what concerns the body, namely, that it is lawful to condemn to death murderers who kill the body.  Given that this is lawful, then who can doubt the lawfulness of the Holy Inquisition's condemning to death those who spread the poison of heresy, and cause the death of innumerable souls.  Very beloved children, in accord with traditional doctrine, We teach you the following truth:  the soul, image and likeness of God, is worth infinitely more than the body.  God is creator of the soul, God creates the soul of each one, and unites it to the union of marriage, thus giving life to the human being, the fruit of the divine mandate of procreation.

We desire that you reflect, and consider the souls that are dead through the action of heresies; and the heretics, who automatically remain outside of the Communion of Saints.  Very beloved children, meditate and reflect on what is the true life of the soul.  The life of the soul is known when the soul possesses sanctifying grace, authentic doctrine, and is imbued with the life of the true and only Church, One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic.

We call to mind recent centuries, when Europe was plagued with the Protestant heresy, and Protestantism was spreading with great facility.  In those days, it was only a short time since Catholic Unity had been reestablished in Spain, after eight centuries of intense fighting against the invading Mohammedanism.  Since time immemorial, Spain had been one nation,‑ not as today when they are seeking to dismember her.  When the Apostle Santiago, disciple of the Lord, came to preach in Spain, she was a single province of Rome.  Later, Spain suffered other invasions, but retained her unity.  Then came the Arab invasions, carrying the satanic Mohammedan banner of the half moon; and these Arabs, faithful to the half moon, partitioned Spain to form innumerable district kingdoms.  In the face of these events, the Most Holy Virgin Mary, with Saint Pelagius, initiated in Covadonga the glorious Christian era of the Reconquista (Reconquest).  Through continual fighting, the Christians in Spain, at the time of the Catholic Sovereigns, achieved the Catholic unity of the Nation.  This experience of eight centuries made the Spanish recognize the danger confronting them in Protestantism, which would divide and ruin Catholic Spain.  In those circumstances, the Kings of Spain, with the blessing and approval of the Supreme Pontiff, set up in Spain the Holy Tribunal of the Inquisition.  Centuries earlier the same Tribunal had been set up in the sister Nation of Catholic France.  Thanks to the Holy Inquisition Spain and Spanish America have during these centuries remained Catholic.

We desire to give some details of the lives of those Saints whom today we have raised to the glory of the altars.

1.‑  Saint Luis de Leon.

He was born in Belmonte (Cuenca, Spain), in 1527.  An Augustinian monk, professor of theology and Sacred Scripture at the University of Salamanca, he is the true representative of the School of Salamanca.  Unjustly denounced by his enemies before the Tribunal of the Holy Inquisition, he was absolved when he was proved innocent, after being imprisoned for 5 years.  He generously forgave his enemies, and resumed his classes in the University, beginning with the now famous remark: "We were saying yesterday. . . ."  Saint Luis de Leon occupies an eminent place among the writers of ascetical treatises for his classical works:  "On the Name of Christ", in which he treats the names of Spouse, Beloved, Son of God. . ." with which the Bible alludes to Jesus Christ; "The Perfect Spouse", in which he puts forward the ideal of the Christian wife; "Exposition of the "Song of Songs", and others.  He wrote also marvelous moral and religious poetry, in which the principal themes are desire for peace of spirit, difficult to attain in this false and deceptive world, ‑and longing for heaven.  He is an example of clearness and beauty of expression, and of loftiness of spirit.  He died in Madrugal in 1591.

2.‑ Saint Luis de Granada.

He was born in Granada in 1504, of humble origin, his mother being laundress of the Dominican convent of Granada.  He entered the Dominican Order, and studied in the College of Saint Gregory in Valladolid.  He was an eminent preacher, achieving extraordinary renown in Portugal, where he became Provincial of the Order, and was proposed for the office of Bishop of Viseo, and Archbishop of Braga, but he declined these dignities.  With his splendid tracts, in grandiloquent style, he contributed effectively to the spread of a sure and solid ascetic literature.  His fundamental works are four: "Book of Prayer and Meditation", "Guide for Sinners", "Introduction to the Creed", and "Notebook of the Christian Life".  He died in sanctity in 1588.

3.‑ Saint Isidore of Milan.

In the world he was Isidore Isolano, born in Milan (Italy), in the decade between 1470 and 1480.  He entered the Order of Preachers, made his ecclesiastical studies in the Convent of Saint Mary of Grace in Milan, and afterwards he occupied a professorate.  Saint Isidore of Milan is one of the great figures whom history has passed over in silence, although he was famous and very well known in his time.  He desired only to live in the silence of the cloisters in heroic austerity and self-oblation, in prayer and study of scripture, and to conceal his personal merit.  This eminent figure in Theology and Philosophy has the most singular distinction of being the first Josephine Theologian. His grandiose work, "Summa de Donis Sancti Joseph", (Summary of the Gifts of Saint Joseph) is the first theological work, the most complete and profound, on the Blessed Patriarch Saint Joseph; and is for its sublimity to be compared, each in respect to its particular object, with the magisterial works of Saint Albert the Great, Saint Thomas, Saint Raymond of Penafort, and others.  With this work, "Summary of the Gifts of Saint Joseph", Saint Isidore of Milan opened a secure path of devotion to the Holy Spouse of the Virgin. His love for Saint Joseph was very great, as was his devotion to the Most Holy Virgin, as he himself lets us understand in the words: "Faithful devotee of Mary, when you are praying the Rosary, do not fail to add at the end a prayer in honour of her Holy Spouse".  In the composition of his marvelous work, Saint Isidore, followed the doctrines of Holy Scripture, of the Fathers, and the great Catholic Doctors.  Besides this work of Josephine Theology, ‑the Saint wrote numerous philosophical and theological works: "Treatise on the Immortality of the Soul", "Treatise on the Power of the Church Militant", "Five Catholic Disputations", in which he opposes Luther and his followers, and so forth.  "Summary of the Gifts or Glories of Saint Joseph" is a treasure of doctrine, which fully justifies the sincere and tender love which the learned and pious author with all his soul, confesses for the Glorious Patriarch.  His conclusions on the secret excellence, sanctity and privileges of Saint Joseph are the most complete. He died in 1530.

4.‑  Saint Conception Barrecheguren.

This frail and simple young woman was born in the lovely city of Granada, 27th November, 1905, in the heart of a profoundly Catholic family.  Since childhood she understood that her vocation was that of silent and hidden suffering.  During her few years on earth, her life was a crucifixion through illness, which led her to say shortly before her death:  "I have not had a good day for seven years; how good it will be in Heaven!"  In spirit, Saint Conception Barrecheguren was like Saint Theresa of Lisieux, her favourite Saint, her model in the way of holiness, even though she lived in the world.  When she was 12 years old, she took a vow "not to lose one minute of time", and ordered her life according to monastic discipline. Her weapon was prayer, her strength the Eucharist; her love Jesus Crucified, her recreation the Child Jesus; her refuge the arms of the Virgin; her older brothers and sisters, the Saints; her motto, confidence in God, and contempt of self; her desires, to aspire ever to love Jesus more.  The 23rd August, 1926, the Saint experienced one of the happiest days of her life:  she was in Lisieux, and visited the convent and the house of Saint Theresa, and venerated her remains. It was a dream come true.  The 29th of October that same year, Saint Theresa granted this "'Flower of the Alhambra" the same sickness she had suffered:  tuberculosis, the grace our Saint had implored on her visit to Lisieux.  After some months of intense suffering, this admirable Saint gave up her soul to God, 13th May, 1927, in the arms of her holy father, without the comfort of her mother's presence, as she was ill in hospital.  The "Thoughts" of Saint Conception Barrecheguren have been the spiritual delight of souls, and suffice to reveal the sanctity of their author, who certainly never thought that they would pass the limits of the house where she lived and died.  The city of Granada has the honour to possess the body of this glorious saint.

5.‑  Saint Francisco Barrecheguren. 

This Saint, model father of a family, and model priest and religious, was born 21st August, 1881, of a Vasco catalonian family.  He is the father of Saint Conception Barrecheguren.  After the death of his spouse, 13th December 1937, he felt in his heart the liveliest desire to give himself to God in the religious life.  Ten years later he entered the Redemptorist Order, and was ordained priest after two years.  The exemplary life of this great Saint beautifully appears in twofold manner:  first a model father and spouse, leading in the world a life of true surrender to God, accepting with heroic patience the infirmity of his daughter and of his spouse; secondly, a model religious, fulfilling the rules and humble duties of the monastery with love and simplicity, and as well, a holy and exemplary priest.  His brethren said of him:  he is one of the holiest, most interesting and venerable figures among Spanish Redemptorists.  He died in Granada 7th October, 1957.

6.‑  Saint Maria Ana Mogas Torras Fontcuberta Pove

She was born 13th January, 1827, in Corro de Vall (Barcelona).  At the age of 14, she was left an orphan, without father or mother, and lived with her godmother, who, although she gave the child a mother's love, nevertheless had intentions for her future not at all suitable, considering the aspirations of the Saint.  Saint Mary Ana, after overcoming, with great sacrifice, the opposition of her godmother, entered the Congregation of the Tertiary Capuchin Sisters of the Divine Shepherdess, taking vows in 1851, and becoming Superior of the Congregation, to which she gave great impulse in Catalonia.  Later she began the organisation of the new congregation of the Tertiary Franciscan Sisters of the Divine Shepherdess.  Her life was devoted to the upbringing and teaching of children and youths, to the care of the sick, until she died in Fuencarral (Madrid), 3rd July 1886, pronouncing the most sweet names of Jesus and Mary.

7.‑  Saint Joseph Mananet.

Saint Joseph Mananet y Vives was born in Tromp (Lerida), 7th January, 1833.  As a little child, he began to manifest qualities of goodness, intelligence, a character of exquisite delicacy and sensibility.  He was educated at the College of the Fathers of the Pious Schools in Barbastro, where he stood out for his intense devotion to study and his deep piety.  Desiring to become a priest, he studied at the Seminary of Lerida, and later at the Seminary of the Cathedral of Urgol.  In 1859 he was ordained priest and, in the confessional, he was distinguished with a justifiable reputation as counselor and expert guide of consciences.  Later he founded the Congregation of the Sons of the Holy Family of Nazareth, which later came to be called Missionary Sons of the Holy Family of Nazareth.  This Congregation achieved its consolidation after many contradictions and difficulties, since it coincided with the turbulent period of the revolution of 1868.  Saint Joseph Mananet died in holiness 17th December, 1901.

8.‑  Saint Catherine Aurelie of the Most Precious Blood.

In the world, Aurelie Caouette, she was born in Sainte Hyacinte (Canada), 11th July, 1833.  Humble and full of love for God, she know that God wished her to found a religious community for adoration and reparation to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  After innumerable obstacles and contradictions, she achieved the foundation in 1861, under the name Institute of the Adorers of the Most Precious Blood, approved by Rome in 1896. It is a contemplative congregation, dedicated to prayers penance and recollection, the fervent veneration and adoration of the Most Precious Blood of the Redeemer, and the offering of self as victim. They give singular honour to Mary Immaculate, from whom is formed the Most Precious Blood.  Saint Catherine Aurelie possessed extraordinary supernatural gifts, and died with ardent love for Christ, 6th January, 1905.

We, as Universal Doctor of the Church, assisted by the Divine Spirit, comprehending the sense of the Church, and examining historical fact, solemnly declare and proclaim:

We raise today to the dignity of Doctor of the Church, the following illustrious Saints:          

1.‑  Saint Vincent Ferrer, with the title "Great Doctor of the Church."

2.‑  Saint Luis de Leon, with the title "Mystical Doctor of the Church."

3.‑  Saint Luis de Granada, with the title "Mystical Doctor of the Church."

4.‑  Saint Isidore of Milan with the dignity of "Exalted Josephine Doctor of the Church."

We desire to point out for the faithful the doctrinal importance of the four saints who today adorn the Church with the dignity of Doctor.

We wish to point out that the writings which the Spanish Dominican, Saint Vincent Ferrer, has bequeathed to the Church, present a most clear doctrine, which in great part seems especially to be written for these present times. Let us not forget that Saint Vincent Ferrer was known as the "Angel of the Apocalypse".  For this reason the declaration of this Saint as "Great Doctor of the Church" is most opportune at these moments, since the times we are living are apocalyptic.  This Saint lived at the time of the great schism of the West.  For a time, mistakenly but involuntarily, the Saint followed and obeyed the Spanish antipope Pedro do Luna.  Later, Saint Vincent de Ferrer realized that Pedro de Luna was not Pope, since he observed with sufficient evidence the lack of humility in Pedro de Luna in not wishing to renounce the title of Pope in the face of the resolutions of the Council of Constance, behaving like a hard bitten, stubborn Aragones.  There still exists in Spain as a popular saying, the words of the Aragones Pedro de Luna: "Since they call me Benedict Thirteen, I carry on with my Thirteen".  Faced with this situation, Saint Vincent Ferrer, with great courage and humility, acknowledged that he had been wrong in following the antipope, and with the same energy as before, when he had supported the false pope, once convinced, he preached and cried out to the four winds against the antipope.  Saint Vincent Ferrer, Great Doctor of the Church, bequeathed to us inspired writings for times to come, in which again there is the problem of two popes at the same time, and how to be able to recognize the true one.  He left besides, many other valuable writings, which will be given below.

We desire to make clear that the writings of Saint Luis de Leon and Saint Luis de Granada, both represent an eminently valuable treatment of the mystical and ascetical life.  Since these two Saints were distinguished in their mystical doctrine, they merit logically the title of Mystical Doctor of the Church.

We desire to make clear the very exalted dignity of Saint Isidore of Milan, who has left us writings, marvelous and sublime; above all, a remarkable and very clear Josephine Doctrine, a doctrine that anticipates and approximates the present day recognition of the glories of Saint Joseph.  The Josephine doctrine of Saint Isidore of Milan gives us a Josephine doctrine, better and clearer than all that have been attempted.  The Josephine Doctrine expounded by this Doctor is an anticipated approximation of the Josephine Doctrine of Palmar deTroya; certainly with a few obscurities, since, in the unfathomable mysteries of God, doctrinal clarity on Saint Joseph had been reserved for the epoch of Palmar de Troya, in its blessed apparitions.

We exhort all the faithful to form the pious habit of reading passages on the Most Glorious Saint Joseph, Father and Doctor of the Church.

In the present document, we mention some of the writings of inspired Doctrine bequeathed to the Church by the Saints whom today We have raised to the dignity of Doctor of the Church.

1.‑  Saint Vincent Ferrer, Great Doctor of the Church.

Here are the titles of his principal works: "Treatise on the Spiritual Life", in which he explains the means to attain sanctity and to grow in grace, of the sure and effective way of imparting it to others. "Consolation in Temptations Against Faith". in which he puts forward efficacious means of overcoming this type of temptation, which leave the soul in peace and harmony, with faith strengthened by their consideration. "Very Devout Contemplation Embracing the Whole Life of Jesus Christ, Our Saviour through the Ceremonies of the Mass. . .",  being the subject matter of his 'little' writings.  Also:  "Numerous Sermons"; "Treatise on the Modern Schism".

Works of the other Doctors are listed above.

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