Romanitas

This raises the question of what true Romanitas means as part of the Christian spirit. Archbishop Lefebvre, deeply imbued with the Roman spirit during his time at the French Seminary in Rome, describes it in his Spiritual Journey. He evokes the great Roman families of the persecution era, their generosity even to the point of martyrdom, the Latin language, the Roman liturgy, and the Latin-speaking Fathers and theologians. Conversely, the aversion of heresiarchs and enemies of the Church toward Rome is equally telling: “In short, Christians are those who are not Romans,” Martin Luther boldly wrote to Pope Leo X in October 1520.

So, what is Romanitas? It is certainly not limited to an erudite knowledge of classical Latin literature. One can be a devoted child of the Church without being a scholar! Nor does it consist of a blind devotion to the Pope that ignores the disastrous reforms undertaken since the 1960s. “Man has duties towards his intelligence, and these duties are serious,” said Father Labourdette. To refuse to see is a grave failure.

The faithful’s attachment to Rome is historically rooted in the preaching, martyrdom, and burial of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Rome. Their preaching established the magisterial authority of the Roman See, and their tombs continue to draw the devotion of the faithful. The primacy entrusted to Peter extends to his successors. It is, therefore, the person of the Prince of the Apostles that anchors Christian hearts to Rome.

Sacred Scripture presents Peter as standing in the place of Jesus: he is commanded to shepherd Christ’s flock (John 21:15–17: “my lambs, my sheep”); he holds the keys to the kingdom of heaven—an emblem of the Messiah [1]; and he is given the name Peter, the rock, a title attributed to God in the Old Testament. In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter is depicted in roles that mirror those of Christ in the Gospels: he raises the paralyzed [2], heals numerous sick people [3], and even resurrects the dead [4]. In the episode of Ananias and Sapphira [5], his role resembles that of God judging Adam and Eve. To look toward Peter is to look toward Jesus Christ and the Father.

One who exercises legitimate authority—especially the most natural form, that of a father—represents God Himself. To respect him is to honor God, despite the personal flaws that may obscure this image.

Just as the father is an image of God, the successor of Peter represents Jesus Christ. Thus, Romanitas is nothing other than filial piety toward the See of Peter, recognizing in it an authority that reflects that of God—just as we honor our parents, who extended God’s work by giving us life. One may, with prudence, distance oneself from parents who have become unworthy without ceasing to be their child. The same principle applies to the Church today. This is how the Society of Saint Pius X can claim its Romanitas without contradiction.

“Honor your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” [6]

Abbé Nicolas Cadiet FSSPX