The Pious Union against Blasphemy and Turpiloquy
In Rome, in the modern age, several Confraternities also prayed for those who uttered blasphemy. These included a work linked to the Society of Jesus.
Blasphemies against God, Christ and Our Lady have always been condemned by the Catholic Church, with different methods in different eras and geographical contexts.
In Rome, in the modern age, several Confraternities were responsible for praying for sinners, for souls in purgatory, for children who had died prematurely, for those who had suffered a violent death and also for those who uttered blasphemies.
Among these, a work linked to the Society of Jesus was also active for several decades.
In fact, the Pious Union against Blasphemy and Turpiloquy was born within the Congregation Prima Primaria in 1864.
From the very first months, it received the approval of the Pope – Pius IX – and had its own statute and headquarters, inside the church of St Ignatius in Rome.
From reading the statute, we learn about the activities of the members of this Pious Union
They were constantly engaged in actions to counter sacrilegious acts, from the statute:
“Works that are recommended to members
1. Every day to recite in obeisance to Our Lord Jesus, and to the Immaculate Virgin Mary, a Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be for the conversion of poor sinners, especially those who are irreligious and foul-mouthed, and in reparation for the offences which are thus done to Jesus and His Blessed Mother.
2. At the ringing of the bells at noon, and in the evening to uncover the head, and to greet the Blessed Mother of God with the recitation of the Angelus Domini, directing this prayer to the end of the Pious Union.
3. For the same end, meeting in the Most Holy Viaticum, to kneel down and deeply adore it […].
4. To have frequently in one’s mouth, and as a devout exclamation, instead of other vain or unbecoming words, these: Blessed be God, Blessed be Mary most holy, Praised be Jesus always, or other similar ones.
5. Professing a tender devotion to the Most Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and striving to expand their divine worship.
The Pious Union came into being a few years before the end of the Papal State and its existence was marked precisely by the transition from the Old Regime to the Kingdom of Italy, while society was changing profoundly. From the documentation, it appears that the members met a few times a year but were daily engaged in pursuing the goals of the congregation.
Among the members were also members of the Roman nobility, such as Ippolito dei Principi Aldobrandini, who was registered from 25 March 1884.
During 1918 the Pious Union was involved in the unification of the congregations against blasphemy into a Federation.
Although the Pious Union continued to have members, it was no longer active in the course of time, so much so that in a memorial dating back to the 1940s, it is stated that ‘it is the responsibility of Catholic Action, which was born and developed in the first half of the 20th century, and which carries it out in harmony with the National Committee of Verona and with the anti-blasphemy leagues that have sprung up in various parts of Italy’.
Further research is needed to ascertain precisely what the fate of the Pious Union was and when it definitively ceased its activities. From the documentation in the archives it is assumed that the work and activities of the Pious Union were, in time, taken over by the Congregazione Prima Primaria.
The historical archives of the Euro-Mediterranean Province also preserve the funds of other Congregations linked to the Society of Jesus with spiritual but also social aims.
Maria Macchi
