On 8 May 1928, Pope Pius XI issued the encyclical Miserentissimus Redemptor.

This encyclical urged all Catholics to consecrate themselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to engage in acts of reparation and atonement for sins committed against the Sacred Heart. The encyclical also confirmed the appearance of Jesus to Saint Marguerite Marie Alacoque.

Pius XI stated that just as Jesus’ foreknowledge of sins we will commit causes him sorrow, so his knowledge of the acts of reparation we will perform cause him joy. These deeds of reparation are done both in response to our own sins and for the sins of others. Pius particularly believed that reparation for sin was urgent considering the great wrongs being committed at this time.

Prayer of Reparation

O sweetest Jesus, whose overflowing charity towards men is most ungratefully repaid by such great forgetfulness, neglect and contempt, see, prostrate before Thy altars, we strive by special honor to make amends for the wicked coldness of men and the contumely with which Thy most loving Heart is everywhere treated.
At the same time, mindful of the fact that we too have sometimes not been free from unworthiness, and moved therefore with most vehement sorrow, in the first place we implore Thy mercy on us, being prepared by voluntary expiation to make amends for the sins we have ourselves committed, and also for the sins of those who wander far from the way of salvation, whether because, being obstinate in their unbelief, they refuse to follow Thee as their shepherd and leader, or because, spurning the promises of their Baptism, they have cast off the most sweet yoke of Thy law. We now endeavor to expiate all these lamentable crimes together, and it is also our purpose to make amends for each one of them severally: for the want of modesty in life and dress, for impurities, for so many snares set for the minds of the innocent, for the violation of feast days, for the horrid blasphemies against Thee and Thy saints, for the insults offered to Thy Vicar and to the priestly order, for the neglect of the Sacrament of Divine love or its profanation by horrible sacrileges, and lastly for the public sins of nations which resist the rights and the teaching authority of the Church which Thou hast instituted. Would that we could wash away these crimes with our own blood! And now, to make amends for the outrage offered to the Divine honor, we offer to Thee the same satisfaction which Thou didst once offer to Thy Father on the Cross and which Thou dost continually renew on our altars, we offer this conjoined with the expiations of the Virgin Mother and of all the Saints, and of all pious Christians, promising from our heart that so far as in us lies, with the help of Thy grace, we will make amends for our own past sins, and for the sins of others, and for the neglect of Thy boundless love, by firm faith, by a pure way of life, and by a perfect observance of the Gospel law, especially that of charity; we will also strive with all our strength to prevent injuries being offered to Thee, and gather as many as we can to become Thy followers. Receive, we beseech Thee, O most benign Jesus, by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Reparatress, the voluntary homage of this expiation, and vouchsafe, by that great gift of final perseverance, to keep us most faithful until death in our duty and in Thy service, so that at length we may all come to that fatherland, where Thou with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Amen.

PIUS XI

On Easter Sunday 21 April 1878, Pope Leo XIII issued the encyclical Inscrutabili Dei Consilio or On the Evils of Society. This was the first encyclical of his pontificate and stressed many of the themes which would guide his future papacy.

In this encyclical, Pope Leo identifies several threats facing humanity at his time, chiefly that the rejection of objective truth and authority which has led to civil strife and war; the rejection of law; and a desire for the things of this world rather than the eternal. The chief defense against these threats is the Catholic Church, which is why Pope Leo believes it is under attack.

Leo stresses the contributions of the Catholic Church to civilization through science and culture. He also calls for the restoration of Vatican political independence to ensure that the Church can freely exercise its responsibilities in the world.

Even though Pope Leo warns against the evils he perceives in society, he stresses that he wishes to work with the countries and peoples of the world for the advancement of the common good. Furthermore, he encourages the priests and bishops to continue striving to present the truth of the faith in union with the Pope and as expressed by “the great Augustine and the Angelic Doctor, with all other teachers of Christian wisdom…”

One area of particular importance for Leo XIII is the preservation of the sanctity of marriage. It is in the family that the foundation of a moral life begins. The decline of the family means the decline of civilization.

This encyclical really sets the foundation for Leo XIII’s papacy and his view that the problems of the modern world should be solved by the Catholic Church and the governments of the world working together rather than in opposition.

Inscrutabili Dei Consilio