Meminisse iuvat

Meminisse iuvat
Latin for 'It is helpful to recall'
Encyclical of Pope Pius XII
Coat of arms of Pope Pius XII
Signature date 14 July 1958
SubjectOn prayers for the persecuted Church
Number41 of 41 of the pontificate
Text

Meminisse iuvat (14 July 1958) is an encyclical of Pope Pius XII, asking for prayers for the persecuted Church in the East and criticizing harmful cultural developments in the West. He asks for a novena of prayer preceding the feast of the Assumption.

The encyclical reminds its readers, that during the Second World War the Pope did not simply preach peace or work on better understanding between the war parties. Most importantly, he consecrated the whole human race to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the mother of God. Twelve years later, war is over, but peace has not yet arrived. The new atomic weapons can annihilate not only the vanquished but also the victors.