Why celebrate Columbus Day? - Traditional Elites and Nobility


From:http://nobility.org/2012/10/08/columbus-day/


"Christopher Columbus certainly ranks as one of the greatest men of achievement the world has ever known, and also justly one of the most renowned, for the entire history of Europeans in America originated from his vision, religious sense and adventurous spirit. As can be expected in a man with an impassioned nature, many controversies have arisen, but all students of his voyages relate he sincerely believed that almighty God had chosen him to discover portions of the world hitherto shrouded in mystery. And his success, after years of struggle and suffering, lends credence to the historical reality of that statement.

Pope Leo XIII summed it up best in an encyclical of tribute on the Quadricentennial of Columbus’ great discovery. The Pontiff recognized that he sought the improvement of human society through knowledge, “nor did he despise glory . . . an ideal to great souls, nor did he scorn a hope of advantage to himself.” But along with human desires was the consideration of Christianity that provided “him with the strength of mind and will…and consoled him in the midst of the greatest difficulties.” But his overriding motivation was “to open a way for the Gospel over new land and seas.” In short, America was discovered by a Catholic missionary".

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The Life of Christopher Columbus
by Rev. A. G. Knight, S.J., 1877

http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/The%20Life%20of%20Christopher%20Columbus.html

 "The ships had been brought to anchor. The lord-admiral, in his scarlet robe of state, pushed off in his boat, bearing in his own hands the royal ensign, and accompanied by the captains of the Pinta and the Nina in their own boats, and carrying their flags. Springing to shore, Columbus sank upon his knees and kissed the ground three times, shedding tears of joy. All with him followed his example. Then, planting the standard of the Crucified, he took solemn possession of the island in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ for the crown of Castile under the name of San Salvador."--page 83




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Download the book, "The Life of Christopher Columbus"

http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/The%20Life%20of%20Christopher%20Columbus.pdf#page=11

ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII ON THE COLUMBUS QUADRICENTENNIAL

 

For when he first petitioned Ferdinand and Isabella, the Sovereigns of Spain, for fear lest they should be reluctant to encourage the undertaking, he clearly explained its object: "That their glory would grow to immortality, if they resolved to carry the name and doctrine of Jesus Christ into regions so distant." And in no long time having obtained his desires, he bears witness: "That he implores of God that, through His Divine aid and grace, the Sovereigns may continue steadfast in their desire to fill these new missionary shores with the truths of the Gospel." He hastens to seek missionaries from Pope Alexander VI, through a letter in which this sentence occurs: "I trust that, by God's help, I may spread the Holy Name and Gospel of Jesus Christ as widely as may be." He was carried away, as we think, with joy, when on his first return from the Indies he wrote to Raphael Sanchez: "That to God should be rendered immortal thanks, Who had brought his labours such prosperous issues; that Jesus Christ rejoices and triumphs on earth no less than in Heaven, at the approaching salvation of nations innumerable, who were before hastening to destruction." And if he moved Ferdinand and Isabella to decree that only Catholic Christians should be suffered to approach the New World and trade with the natives, he brought forward as reason, "that he sought nothing from his enterprise and endeavour but the increase and glory of the Christian religion."

http://w2.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/docuмents/hf_l-xiii_enc_16071892_quarto-abeunte-saeculo.html