Dom Prosper Gueranger:
The first stone of the Church is laid, and on this foundation Jesus now begins to build. The Shepherd of the Sheep and Lambs has been proclaimed: it is time to form the Fold. The Keys of the Kingdom have been given to Peter: it is time to inaugurate the Kingdom. Now this Church, this Fold, this Kingdom, designate a society which is to be called Christian, after the name of its Founder. This society, composed of the disciples of Christ, is destined to receive within it every individual of the human race, and if all do not actually enter, it is not in consequence of any ban of exclusion. It will subsist to the end of time, for there can be no elect out of her pale. It will be One, for Christ says not: “I will build my Churches,” He speaks but of One. It will be Holy, for all the means of sanctification are in her keeping. It will be Catholic, that is, Universal, in order that being known in all times and places, men may be able to hear her teachings and follow them. It will be Apostolic, that is to say, that how long so ever this world may last, it will come down by lawful succession from these men with whom Jesus is, during these forty days, arranging everything that is connected with its establishment.
Such is to be the Church out of which there is to be no salvation for those, who, having known her, have refused to become her members. A few days hence, and the world will hear of her existence. The spark, that is now but in Judea, will soon become a fire spread throughout the whole earth. Before the close of the century, not only will there be members of the Church in every province of the vast Roman Empire, but even in countries where Rome has never planted the standard of her proud eagles. Nay more, this miraculous propagation is to be perpetual — in every age, new apostles will set forth and win new victories for this immortal Church. Nothing human is lasting, but the Church’s ceaseless duration will excite the spleen of incredulity and baffle all its calculations. Persecutions, heresies, schisms, apostacies and scandals — all will strive to work her ruin, but she will survive them all. The descendants of her bitterest foes will call her “Mother.” Thrones and dynasties, nations and even whole races will be carried away by the tide of time. She alone will subsist throughout the ages, stretching out her arms to receive all men, teaching ever the same truths, repeating, even to the last day, the same Symbol of Faith, and ever faithful to the instructions given her by our Risen Jesus during these forty days preceding His Ascension.
How shall we worthily thank you, O God, our Saviour, for your having, even at our first entrance into life, made us members of this your immortal Spouse, which alone possesses your heavenly teachings and the means by which is wrought salvation! We have no need to search for your Church. It is in and by her that we live the supernatural life even here below, and of which the perfection is to be given to us in heaven, provided we be faithful to grace. Oh! show your mercy to those countless souls who have not had the privilege we have enjoyed, and whose entrance into your Church is to cost them many a painful sacrifice. Strengthen them with light. Give them courage. Rouse them from indifference. Bless their efforts that thus, Divine Shepherd, your Fold may increase and your Church, your Spouse, may be as you have promised she ever will be, the joyful Mother of Children!
