Encyclical: On the Restoration of All Things in Christ; E Supremi Apostolatus

Pope St. Pius X here lays out the program of his pontificate. This is the same as that which St. Paul proposed to the Christians at Ephesus: “Instaurare omnia in Christo: to renew all things in Christ.” But if it was a difficult task in St. Paul’s time, it is surely no less difficult in ours.

The pope notes how “the nations are raging” against God; how men are putting themselves in His place. This is, as it were, a foretaste of the evil days to come, of the Anti-Christ. But he reassures us that God will ultimately win this battle, as can be read from the Scriptures. Therefore everyone should pray for God’s supreme dominion over all things. Peace, that tranquility of order, can only be restored when men join “God’s Party.” On the other hand, submission to God can only come through acknowledging the sovereignty of Our Lord Jesus Christ, without whom no one could be saved. Therefore, the pope points out, to restore all things in Christ and to lead men back to submission to God is one and the same aim.