"In Illo uno unum" — Leon XIV's motto in the light of St Augustine's writings

Pope Leon XIV, in his papal call, concluded the words “In Illo uno unum” – [we became] 1 in him, who is one. St. Augustine expressed this fact in the "Comment to the Psalm" (Enarrationes in Psalmos) 127, 3 – writes Fr. Prof. Bazyla Degórski OSPE.

Unity of the Church in Christ

Let us look at the full context in which this papal motto lies, for the text itself explains it: “Let us shake the shell [...]! He who receives specified blessings is simply a determined man, and if we are not members of this man, we cannot be deceived to fear the Lord. We are talking about many people, and at the same time about 1 man, due to the fact that although Christians are many, Christ is one. 1 man, Christ, is Christians and their Head, who ascended to heaven. He's not a single person, we're a crowd, but we, the crowd, have become 1 in him who is one. Christ, therefore, the Head and Body, is 1 man. What is the Body of Christ? He is His Church. This is confirmed by the Apostle: We are members of his body (Eph 5:30), and also: You are the flesh of Christ and [His] members (1 Cor 12:27). Let us so effort to realize the words of this man with whom we are united and in Him we make 1 man."

Community with God is not a explanation – it is simply a intent of life

It is besides worth noting here that the Augustian text shows Christ as “One” (Unum; Ἕν). Christ is God equal to the Father and the Holy Spirit. Our Lord, therefore, as God is not complex, is "the One" (Unum; Ἕν), is indivisible.

And here is the fact of our premonition (deificatio; Θέωσις). Augustine, though he perceived grace primarily as a drug (medicina) and aid (adjutory), and though he attached large importance to the Church understood as Christus totus (all Christ), did not forget the community in which the individual, through Christ's mediation, is united with God (cf. “The Speech” 47:21; “The Speech” 192, 1). According to Bishop Hippo, he is baptized with the only righteous, and so is simply a boy of God like Christ, though he is not yet perfect, due to the fact that through the Spirit which is scattered in him, he hopes to see God in the resurrection as he is (cf. “Letters” 140 and 147).

Similarly, St. Leon the large taught

Perhaps even more precisely the same thought was expressed a small later by the predecessor and namesake of Pope Leon XIV, Saint Leon the large (cf. “The Speeches” 21, 3; 23, 5; 26,4). According to St.Leon, the Word has besides become flesh, that through the grace of the Holy Spirit man may be elevated to the dignity of the boy of God (cf. “The Speech” 22, 5).

O. Prof. Basily Degórski OSPE

Source: Vatican News PL /KAI