Tribus Circiter
Encyclopedia
Tribus Circiter is an encyclical
of Pope Pius X
on the Mariavites or mystic priests, a pseudo-monastic Polish
society. It was given at Rome
, at St. Peter's, the fifth day of April, 1906, in the third year of his Pontificate. The Mariavites later formed their own community, calling themselves the Mariavite Church
.
Some priests, especially among the junior clergy in Polish dioceses, had founded, without permission from their lawful Superiors, a kind of pseudo-monastic society, known as the Mariavites or Mystic Priests. They became dependent on a certain woman, whom they proclaimed to be most holy, endowed with heavenly gifts, divinely enlightened, and many other things
Relying on an alleged mandate from God, they attacked all priest
s and bishop
s who ventured to express any doubt about the sanctity and divine election of the woman, or showed any hostility to the society of the Mariavites. Two Polish priests, representing the Mariavites, Romanus Prochniewsky and Jan Kowalski
, came to Rome asking for recognition, that Feliksa Kozłowska alias Maria Francesca has been made most holy by God, that she is the mother of mercy for all men called and elected to salvation by God in these days; and that all Mariavite priests are commanded by God to promote throughout the world devotion to the Most Holy Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin Mary
of Perpetual Succor, free from all restriction of ecclesiastical or human law or custom, and from all ecclesiastical and human power whatsoever..."
Pope Pius X believed that these priests were blinded by ignorance
and delusion
. While they threw themselves at the Papal feet and expressed their firm resolution to carry out the wishes of the Holy Father, back in Poland, they rejected any obedience to the Holy See
and their bishops. Kowalski persisted in his foolish talk and incitements to rebellion against legitimate pastors and in brazen violation of episcopal commands.
Therefore, should they continue to reject the exhortations of their Polish superiors, they are to be severely dealt with." The Holy Father, as a pledge of heavenly favors and in evidence of His paternal good will, bestows the Apostolic Benediction on the Polish bishops and on all the clergy and people entrusted to their care and vigilance.
Encyclical
An encyclical was originally a circular letter sent to all the churches of a particular area in the ancient Catholic Church. At that time, the word could be used for a letter sent out by any bishop...
of Pope Pius X
Pope Pius X
Pope Saint Pius X , born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, was the 257th Pope of the Catholic Church, serving from 1903 to 1914. He was the first pope since Pope Pius V to be canonized. Pius X rejected modernist interpretations of Catholic doctrine, promoting traditional devotional practices and orthodox...
on the Mariavites or mystic priests, a pseudo-monastic 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...
society. It was given at Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, at St. Peter's, the fifth day of April, 1906, in the third year of his Pontificate. The Mariavites later formed their own community, calling themselves the Mariavite Church
Mariavite Church
The Mariavite Church is an independent Christian church that emerged from the Catholic Church of Poland at the turn of the 20th century. Initially, it was an internal movement leading to a reform of the Polish clergy. After a conflict with Polish bishops, it became a separate and independent...
.
Some priests, especially among the junior clergy in Polish dioceses, had founded, without permission from their lawful Superiors, a kind of pseudo-monastic society, known as the Mariavites or Mystic Priests. They became dependent on a certain woman, whom they proclaimed to be most holy, endowed with heavenly gifts, divinely enlightened, and many other things
Relying on an alleged mandate from God, they attacked all priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
s and bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s who ventured to express any doubt about the sanctity and divine election of the woman, or showed any hostility to the society of the Mariavites. Two Polish priests, representing the Mariavites, Romanus Prochniewsky and Jan Kowalski
Jan Kowalski
Jan Maria Michał Kowalski was the first Minister Generalis of the order of the Mariavites. At the time of his selection, he was the most important person in this Christian movement. He was consecrated Bishop in 1909 by the Utrecht Union Old Catholic Archbishop Gerardus Gul...
, came to Rome asking for recognition, that Feliksa Kozłowska alias Maria Francesca has been made most holy by God, that she is the mother of mercy for all men called and elected to salvation by God in these days; and that all Mariavite priests are commanded by God to promote throughout the world devotion to the Most Holy Sacrament and to the Blessed 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...
of Perpetual Succor, free from all restriction of ecclesiastical or human law or custom, and from all ecclesiastical and human power whatsoever..."
Pope Pius X believed that these priests were blinded by ignorance
Ignorance
Ignorance is a state of being uninformed . The word ignorant is an adjective describing a person in the state of being unaware and is often used as an insult...
and delusion
Delusion
A delusion is a false belief held with absolute conviction despite superior evidence. Unlike hallucinations, delusions are always pathological...
. While they threw themselves at the Papal feet and expressed their firm resolution to carry out the wishes of the Holy Father, back in Poland, they rejected any obedience to the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
and their bishops. Kowalski persisted in his foolish talk and incitements to rebellion against legitimate pastors and in brazen violation of episcopal commands.
Therefore, should they continue to reject the exhortations of their Polish superiors, they are to be severely dealt with." The Holy Father, as a pledge of heavenly favors and in evidence of His paternal good will, bestows the Apostolic Benediction on the Polish bishops and on all the clergy and people entrusted to their care and vigilance.
Sources
- Acta Sanctae Sedis Official documents of the Pontificate of Pope Pius X, Vatican City, encyclical Tribus Circiter 1906 39