In Umbris Sancti Petri

So… word on the street here in Rome is that Pope Benedict’s next encyclical letter is scheduled for release sometime before Christmas. Usually these things are pretty speculative—who knows what’s going on behind closed Vatican doors. But thankfully, I happen to be taking Latin classes from the very man responsible for reading and translating the letter into its official Latin form. Naturally, a few questions were essential on my part.

The title is likely going to be Spe Salvi (“Saved by Hope”), which will follow upon last year’s Deus Caritas Est (“God is Love”). Obviously, the pope’s theme seems to be centered on the theological virtues—faith, hope and love—so named ‘theological’ because their ultimate end or ‘object’ is God himself. The Holy Father’s encyclical on love offered us a whole lot to mull over and I can only imagine the same will be true for his letter on hope. Even though I’ve also heard that the upcoming document is somewhat “philosophical” in its nature, I’d urge you not to let that be a deterrent to your reading it. Pope Benedict is a brilliant theologian, not only in his knowledge of theology but in his approach and writing style; he makes the seemingly inaccessible as clear as day, even if that means we have to use a little more brain power than we’re used to… In the end, there are innumerable things we could be reading, from novels to newspapers—and especially things to enrich the depth of our university or independent study—but something by the Holy Father ought to take top priority for a serious Catholic. Once it comes out, you can bet there will be a few posts on the topic right here on the blog.

Although it’s not ‘official’ and will likely be somewhat postponed, trusted sources indicate that the release date on the encyclical manuscript is November 30th, also known as the feast of St. Andrew. Personally, I can’t think of a better day to do anything on!