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George Dilexit

The encyclical letter 'Dilexit Nos' by Pope Francis explores the profound love of Christ, emphasizing its importance in a divided world. It consists of five chapters that address the heart-centered approach to love, Christ's transformative acts, the reciprocal nature of love, and the social implications of the Sacred Heart. The document calls for personal and societal renewal grounded in Christ’s love, advocating for justice, compassion, and environmental care.

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27 views4 pages

George Dilexit

The encyclical letter 'Dilexit Nos' by Pope Francis explores the profound love of Christ, emphasizing its importance in a divided world. It consists of five chapters that address the heart-centered approach to love, Christ's transformative acts, the reciprocal nature of love, and the social implications of the Sacred Heart. The document calls for personal and societal renewal grounded in Christ’s love, advocating for justice, compassion, and environmental care.

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anthonypaul7742
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REVIEW OF DILEXIT NOS: AN ENCYCLICAL LETTER OF THE HOLY FATHER

FRANCIS ON THE HUMAN AND DIVINE LOVE OF THE HEART OF JESUS CHRIST

BY

GEORGE CHOKPA

Reg. No. BMS/IB/3050

NUMBER 41

DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY, BIGARD MEMORIAL SEMINARY, ENUGU,

IN AFFLIATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, IBADAN,

NIGERIA.

ENUGU

DECEMBER, 2024
A REVIEW OF DILEXIT NOS

Introduction:

This encyclical letter of Pope Francis, Dilexit Nos, is a profound exploration of Christ’s love

captured in the Latin title meaning “He Loved Us,” inspired by Saint Paul’s assurance in Romans

8:37-39 that nothing can separate us from Christ’s love. This 220-pages document, released in

October 24, 2024 to mark the 350th anniversary of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque’s visions, is

divided into five chapters. Through these chapters, Pope Francis renews devotion to the Sacred Heart

as both personal solace and a call for unity in a divided world.

Chapter One: The Importance of the Heart

Pope Francis addresses the need for a heart-centered approach in an era plagued by division,

consumerism and individualism. He introduces the Sacred Heart as a vital symbol of compassion

and solidarity, emphasizing that the love of Jesus can ground us spiritually and socially.

Chapter Two: Actions and Words of Love

Pope Francis delves into Christ’s transformative acts of love, particularly focusing on His personal

encounters. These interactions reveal Christ’s mercy and deep compassion, embodying His loving

presence that changes lives. Pope Francis emphasizes that Christ’s acts of love are not isolated

moments but part of a greater narrative that culminates in His ultimate self-giving act: His death on

the Cross. Pope Benedict XVI, in Deus Caritas Est, also underscores this understanding of love as

both a divine gift and a call to self-giving, where God’s love is most fully revealed in the Cross

(Deus Caritas Est, 12). The chapter also highlights that Christ’s sacrificial love is not just a

theological concept but a model for how believers are called to live out their faith.
Chapter Three: A Love That Gives Itself as Drink

The Pope highlights the transformative nature of Christ’s love, drawing from the image of Jesus

offering living water. He emphasizes that Christ’s love is not a one-time gift but a continual, life-

sustaining force. The Church, as the Body of Christ, is called to share this love, offering hope and

spiritual nourishment, especially to the suffering.

Chapter Four: Love for Love.

Pope Francis discusses the reciprocal nature of Christ’s love, emphasizing that His love calls for a

loving response from believers. He presents love as both a gift and a call to self-giving, with

Christ’s command to love one another (John 13:34-35) as a model. This chapter is reaffirmed in

Deus Caritas Est by Pope Benedict XVI, where love is seen as a divine gift and human response,

and Evangelii Gaudium, which highlights that true love involves service and commitment to the

common good.

Chapter Five: The Social Implications of the Sacred Heart

Pope Francis emphasizes that Christ’s love, symbolized by the Sacred Heart, must be reflected in

societal action. He calls for Christians to engage in justice, compassion, and solidarity, addressing

inequality and peace. This is strongly backed by Fratelli Tutti, which advocates for a global culture

of fraternity, and Caritas in Veritate, which links love with social justice.

Dilexit Nos connects Christ’s love with the themes of Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti, urging

believers to embrace a love that fosters human dignity, fraternity, and environmental care. Pope

Francis critiques the materialistic world, calling for a return to Christ’s liberating love as a remedy

for social and environmental issues. While the encyclical offers an inspiring vision, the challenge
lies in translating these ideals into practical actions. It calls for both personal and societal renewal,

grounded in Christ’s love as the foundation for justice and compassion.

Bibliography:

Primary Sources:

Francis, Pope. Dilexit Nos. Vatican City: Vatican Press, 2024.

Holy Bible. New Revised Standard Version.

Secondary Sources

Benedict XVI, Pope. Deus Caritas Est. Vatican City: Vatican Press, 2005.

Benedict XVI, Pope. Caritas in Veritate. Vatican City: Vatican Press, 2009.

Francis, Pope. Evangelii Gaudium. Vatican City: Vatican Press, 2013.

Francis, Pope. Fratelli Tutti. Vatican City: Vatican Press, 2020.

Francis, Pope. Laudato Si’. Vatican City: Vatican Press, 2015.

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