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<img class='responsive' src='http://vaticanstamps.org/stamplist/covers/1964-10-24.jpg'> 
Commemorative cover canceled at Monte Cassino on October 24, 1964 when 
Pope Paul VI proclaimed Saint Benedict of Nursia the Principal Patron of Europe. 
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On October 24,1964, in his Apostolic Letter, Pacius Nuntius, Pope Paul VI proclaimed Saint Benedict of Nursia, patriarch of western monasticism, the Principal Patron of Europe at Monte Cassino Abbey. Here is a translation of that document. 
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PAUL PP. VI

APOSTOLIC LETTER

PEACE MESSAGE*

SAINT BENEDICT ABBOT
THE PATRON SAINT OF EUROPE IS ELECTED.

TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY OF THE KING

Peace message, producer of unity, civilization teacher, religious herald and monastic life in the west is preached by the most meritorious author Saint Benedict Abbot. The latter, while other european countries, at a time when the Roman empire was corrupted by old age, seemed to fall into darkness, while others were still devoid of more polite humanity and spiritual values, caused by the steep bulky power of its constant power to shed new light like the dawn of the same continent. For the cross, the book, the plow, especially himself by itself and by his children the nations that live from The Mediterranean To Scandinavia, from Ireland to The open places Of The Poles, brought christian civilization (Cf AAS 39 (1947), p. 453). The cross, that is, the law of Jesus Christ, established and increased the institutions of private and public life. It is also helpful to mention The "work Of God", or by a certain and constant prayer point of view, that he has taught divine worship in human companionship to be of the greatest importance.
 
Thus, Therefore, he clamped that spiritual unity Of Europe, whereby nations, sermon, genre, and genius, felt themselves to be One of God's people. This unity, faithfully annoying monks, made discipline worth parent students a special feature of the middle, which they call, of age. It is said That Saint Augustine is " the form of omnis beauty "(Cf. Ep. 18, 2; PL 33, 85), mourning the revolution of things, as many as are endowed with good will, try to restore our times. The book, or civilization, the same venerable patriarch from whom so many monasteries derived its name and vigor, kept old literary monuments, when the liberals were overwhelmed by the fog of discipline and arts, with careful care, and passed on to the descendants, and enthusiastically refined their teachings. In conclusion, the plow, or farming, and other reserves changed waste and horrid habitats into fertile fields of cereals and gardens amemos; and joining carpentry with prayers, according to those words "pray and work", added excellence to human work. Undeserved work pp. 12 Saint Benedict called "The father Of Europe "(Cf. aas loc. mem. ), whose continental populations were indeed termite he inspired the love and enthusiasm of the right order, in which their social life would be based.

This Predecessor then wished that God would favor the initiatives of such renowned men with the prayer of those who strive to unite the gentiles with the same bonds of true brotherhood. Congratulations to you, john pp. XXIII to the lover, in whom he was afflicted, with care, coveted from the heart. And we ourselves strongly endorse such policies, related to the fact that unity between European countries is fostered. For this reason we have granted willingly with prayers whereby most Of the Fathers of various parts Of Europe Purple, Archbishops, Bishops, Supreme Directors of Religious Orders and Congregations without distinguishing them from the order of the lay men asked Us to resign As Patron Saint Of The Holy Blessed Of Europe. Whose celestial protection is openly declared a remarkable opportunity is offered to Us, with The Temple Of Mount Casinos, overturned in 1944 by the war that is intriguing around the world, but with envious godliness and then refreshed, we re-consecrate To God in honor of The Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Benedict today. We willingly carry out this, imitating some Of Our Predecessors, who dedicated it to the religious and monastic temple of Life, the most famous tomb Of The Same Saint Benedict, over the course of centuries.

This eminent Heaven, therefore, seconds Our vows, and as once the light of christian darkness dispelled and imparted goods and peace, so now It is in Charge Of European affairs and promotes them with their atonement for the increments of their greatest days. Therefore, by deliberately consulting The Rites Of The Congregation, with certain knowledge And mature deliberation And with The fullness Of The Apostolic power, we establish and declare In the same way The Holy Blessed Abbot of all Europe as the principal patron Of the heavenly God, with all additional liturgical honors and privileges duly applicable to the principal patrons of the places. It is an unbelievable disrespect. We proclaim, establish, and decide that the present letters are constantly established, valid and effective and continue to exist; to obtain and obtain their full and complete effects; and to those to whom they will be able to watch or to be able to vote to the fullest now and in the future; and thus to be properly judged and to be defined; and to become void from the present and void, if anything else, by any, any authority, knowingly or unknowingly, happens to be attacked.
 
Given In Rome, at Saint Peter, under The fisherman's ring, On October 24, 1964, Our second Pontificate.

PAUL PP. VI

* AAS 56 (1964), pp. 965-967			 
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Latin text found at https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/la/apost_letters/documents/hf_p-vi_apl_19641024_pacis-nuntius.html.

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