Denis the Carthusian
Opera Omnia: English Edition
The Opera Omnia (complete works) of Denis the Carthusian were published by the Carthusian Order between 1896 and 1913 in forty-three large volumes. This site is an active project to translate the writings of this prolific 15th century monk from Latin into English for a wider audience to discover and appreciate his works.
For background on the life of Denis the Carthusian and the significance of his works, begin with the "Introductory Texts" below. The remainder of the site includes all of his published works in the Opera Omnia. Translations are uploaded in real-time as they are completed.
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Introductory Texts
A Letter from Pope Leo XIII
Addressed to the Prior General of the Carthusian Order in the year 1896 introducing the first volume of the Opera Omnia and commending this undertaking of the Carthusian Order.
The Life of Denis the Carthusian, of Blessed Memory
A biography of Denis the Carthusian written about 60 years after his death by Theodoric Loer, Vicar of the Cologne Charterhouse. It was first published in the Cologne editions of the Opera Omnia in 1530, 1532, and 1535.
Translation in Progress
The Letters of John Houghton and Theodoric Loer
John Houghton, is known for being one of the first English martyrs killed in 1535 after King Henry VIII was declared Supreme Head of the Church of England. These letters include John's requests and encouragement to Theodoric Loer in 1532 regarding the works of Denis along with Theodoric's reply to him.
Translation in Progress
On the Discovery of the Relics of the Venerable Denis
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Commentaries on the Bible
An Exposition of Genesis
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An Exposition of Exodus
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An Exposition of Leviticus
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An Exposition of Numbers
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An Exposition of Deuteronomy
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A Brief Epilogue and Conclusion to the Pentateuch
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An Exposition of Joshua
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An Exposition of Judges
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An Exposition of Ruth
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An Exposition of First SamuelFirst Kings in the Vulgate.
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An Exposition of Second SamuelSecond Kings in the Vulgate.
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An Exposition of First KingsThird Kings in the Vulgate.
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An Exposition of Second KingsFourth Kings in the Vulgate.
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An Exposition of First ChroniclesFirst Paralipomenon in the Vulgate.
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An Exposition of Second ChroniclesSecond Paralipomenon in the Vulgate.
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An Exposition of Job
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An Epilogue to Job: A Treatise on the Cause of Contradiction in Human Events
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An Exposition of Tobit
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An Exposition of Judith
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An Exposition of Esther
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An Exposition of EzraFirst Esdras in the Vulgate.
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An Exposition of NehemiahSecond Esdras in the Vulgate.
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An Exposition of First Maccabees
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An Exposition of Second Maccabees
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Commentaries on the First Fifty Psalms
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Commentaries on the Second Fifty Psalms
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Commentaries on the Third Fifty Psalms
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A Conclusion to the Psalm Commentaries: A Treatise on the Method of Devoutly Singing the Psalms
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An Exposition of Proverbs
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An Exposition of Ecclesiastes
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An Exposition of the Song of Songs
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An Exposition of Wisdom
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An Exposition of SirachEcclesiasticus in the Vulgate.
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An Exposition of Isaiah
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An Exposition of Jeremiah
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An Exposition of Lamentations
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An Exposition of Baruch
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An Exposition of Ezekiel
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An Exposition of Daniel
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An Exposition of Hosea
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An Exposition of Joel
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An Exposition of Amos
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An Exposition of Obadiah
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An Exposition of Jonah
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An Exposition of Micah
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An Exposition of Nahum
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An Exposition of Habakkuk
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An Exposition of Zephaniah
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An Exposition of Haggai
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An Exposition of Zechariah
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An Exposition of Malachi
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An Exposition of Matthew
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An Exposition of Mark
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An Exposition of Luke
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An Exposition of John
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An Exposition of Romans
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An Exposition of First Corinthians
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An Exposition of Second Corinthians
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An Exposition of Galatians
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An Exposition of Ephesians
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An Exposition of Philippians
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An Exposition of Colossians
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An Exposition of First Thessalonians
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An Exposition of Second Thessalonians
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An Exposition of First Timothy
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An Exposition of Second Timothy
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An Exposition of Titus
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An Exposition of Philemon
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An Exposition of Hebrews
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An Exposition of James
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An Exposition of First Peter
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An Exposition of Second Peter
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An Exposition of First John
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An Exposition of Second John
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An Exposition of Third John
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An Exposition of Jude
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An Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles
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An Exposition of RevelationThe Apocalypse of Saint John in the Vulgate.
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A Paraenesis on Devotion to Sacred Scripture
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An Exposition of the Seven Penitential Psalms
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Monopanton: A Redaction of the Pauline Letters into a Single Work
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Epitome: A Summary of Important Passages from the Entire Bible
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Commentaries on Dionysius the Areopagite
Commentaries on the Celestial Hierarchy
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Commentaries on the Ecclesiastical Hierarchy
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Commentaries on the Divine Names
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Commentaries on the Mystical Theology
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Brief and Necessary Absolutions of the Particular Difficulties of the Preceding Books
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Commentaries on the Letters of Saint Dionysius
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Commentaries on Peter Lombard
Commentaries on the First Book of the Sentences
On the mystery of the most holy Trinity.
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Commentaries on the Second Book of the Sentences On the creation of spiritual and physical things, and the fall of man. Future Translation
Commentaries on the Third Book of the Sentences On the redemption of man, on virtues, and the gratuitous gifts with which Christ was full, and which filled faithful souls. Future Translation
Commentaries on the Fourth Book of the Sentences On the seven sacraments of the Church, sacramental signs, the condition of the resurrection and the last judgment, and the various refuges of souls after death. Future Translation
Commentaries on Boethius
On the Consolation of Philosophy, Expositions of Book One
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On the Consolation of Philosophy, Expositions of Book Two
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On the Consolation of Philosophy, Expositions of Book Three
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On the Consolation of Philosophy, Expositions of Book Four
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On the Consolation of Philosophy, Expositions of Book Five
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Commentaries on John Climacus
Expositions of the Ladder of Divine Ascent of Saint John Climacus
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Sermons
Sermons for Sundays and Feast Days
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Sermons for Commemorations of Saints
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Original Works
Summa Fidei Orthodoxae, Book One
On God and His attributes; on angels; on the creation, state, and governance of all things; on the powers of the soul, demonic attacks, and fate.
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Summa Fidei Orthodoxae, Book Two
On the beatitude of man; on the passions of the soul; on the habits of virtues; on laws and precepts; on grace and merit.
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Summa Fidei Orthodoxae, Book Three
On both the theological and cardinal virtues; on their divisions and parts; on their related virtues and opposing vices; on gifts and fruits.
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Summa Fidei Orthodoxae, Book Four
On the incarnation, life, passion, death, and resurrection of Christ; on the sanctification, betrothal, and annunciation of his Mother Mary; on the sacraments of the new law and their rites—Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony; on the reward of the good and the punishment of the evil.
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A Dialogue on the Catholic Faith, Book One
Christian law is from God alone.
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A Dialogue on the Catholic Faith, Book Two
On the unity of the divine nature, and the trinity of Persons.
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A Dialogue on the Catholic Faith, Book Three
On creation and the distinction of things.
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A Dialogue on the Catholic Faith, Book Four
On the incarnation, life, passion, and glorification of the Son of God; and the last judgment.
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A Dialogue on the Catholic Faith, Book Five
On certain particular points of the Orthodox faith; namely the Eucharist, good and evil angels, predestination, and the foreknowledge of God.
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A Dialogue on the Catholic Faith, Book Six
On the Antichrist and his deceptions.
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A Dialogue on the Catholic Faith, Book Seven
On the proof of the Christian faith from the law and the Prophets, and on the errors of the Jews.
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A Dialogue on the Catholic Faith, Book Eight
On the life and miracles of Christ and the Saints.
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A Compendium of Philosophy
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A Compendium of Theology
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On the Light of Christian Theory, Book One
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On the Light of Christian Theory, Book Two
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On the Nature of the True and Eternal God
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A Theological Consideration of Creatures in Relation to God
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On the Attractiveness of the World and the Beauty of God
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On the Distance Between Human and Divine Perfection
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On the Benefits and Generosity of God
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On the Praises of God
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On the Praises of the Most Praiseworthy God
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An Exposition of Several Church Hymns
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On the Praises of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity, through the Canonical Hours
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First Treatise on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
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Second Treatise on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
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Third Treatise on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
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Fourth Treatise on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
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A Dialogue on the Passion of the Lord and Savior
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Canonical Hours on the Passion of the Lord
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An Exposition of the Mass
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A Dialogue on the Celebration of Mass and the Sacrament of the Altar
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On Celebrating Holy Communion
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Six Sermons on the Sacrament of the Eucharist
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On the Dignity and Commendation of Mary, Book One
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On the Dignity and Commendation of Mary, Book Two
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On the Dignity and Commendation of Mary, Book Three
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On the Dignity and Commendation of Mary, Book Four
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On the Praises and Dignity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Book One
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On the Praises and Dignity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Book Two
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On the Praises and Dignity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Book Three
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On the Praises and Dignity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Book Four
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One the Mutual Knowledge of the Blessed in Heaven
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On the Veneration of Saints and the Manner of Conducting Processions
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Against Superstitious Errors which Stray from Worship of the True God
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On the Deceitfulness of Muhammad, Book One
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On the Deceitfulness of Muhammad, Book Two
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On the Deceitfulness of Muhammad, Book Three
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On the Deceitfulness of Muhammad, Book Four
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A Debate between a Christian and a Saracen
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A Letter to the Princes of the Catholic Church
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On the Authority of the Pope and the General Council, Book One
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On the Authority of the Pope and the General Council, Book Two
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On the Authority of the Pope and the General Council, Book Three
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On the Life and Rule of Bishops
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On the Rule of Clergy
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On the Life and Rule of Archdeacons
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On the Life of Canons
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On Making Use of Many Benefits
The last of seven works included in On Contempt of the World, a popular 16th century compilation of Denis' writings.
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On the Life and Rule of Curates
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On the Doctrine of Scholars
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On the Life and Rule of Princes, Book One
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On the Life and Rule of Princes, Book Two
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On the Life and Rule of Princes, Book Three
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A Dialogue on the Life and Rule of Princesses
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A Guide to the Lives of the Nobility
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On the Life of Soldiers
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A Dialogue on the Life of Merchants and the Just Price of Things
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On the Rule of States
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On the Praiseworthy Life of Spouses
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On the Praiseworthy Life of Widows
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Against Avarice, a Letter to a Certain Widow
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On the Praiseworthy Life of Virgins
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A Dialogue between Jesus and an Old Man
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A Dialogue between Jesus and a Child
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On the Reformation of Monasteries
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A Dialogue on the Reformation of Nuns
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On the Life and End of Hermits, Book One
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On the Life and End of Hermits, Book Two
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On the Praise and Commendation of the Solitary Life
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On the Cloistered Life
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On the Praise or Commendation of the Carthusian Order
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An Exposition of the Third Rule of Saint Francis
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On Showing Obedience to Superiors
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An Exhortation for Novices
The first of five works included in Ladder of the Religious, a popular 16th century compilation of Denis' writings.
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On the Monastic Profession
The second of five works included in Ladder of the Religious, a popular 16th century compilation of Denis' writings.
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A Summary of Virtues and Vices, Book One
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A Summary of Virtues and Vices, Book Two
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Against an Abundance of Benefits, from Authentic Sayings
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Against Simony, Book One
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Against Simony, Book Two
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Against Ambition
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On the Wickedness and Gravity of Sin
The third of seven works included in On Contempt of the World, a popular 16th century compilation of Denis' writings.
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A Mirror or Dialogue on the Conversion of Sinners
The fourth of seven works included in On Contempt of the World, a popular 16th century compilation of Denis' writings.
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On the Narrow Way of Salvation and Contempt of the World
The first of seven works included in On Contempt of the World, a popular 16th century compilation of Denis' writings.
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A Mirror on Lovers of the World
The second of seven works included in On Contempt of the World, a popular 16th century compilation of Denis' writings.
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On the Doctrine and Rules of Christian Life, Book One
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On the Doctrine and Rules of Christian Life, Book Two
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On Authentic Transcripts and Documents
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On the Means of Judging and Correcting
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On a Profitable Deduction of Time
The third of five works included in Ladder of the Religious, a popular 16th century compilation of Denis' writings.
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A Seven-Day Devotional on the Purgative Way
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On Life-Giving Mortification and Interior Reformation
The fourth of five works included in Ladder of the Religious, a popular 16th century compilation of Denis' writings.
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On Remedies for Temptations
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Against a Detestable Disorder of the Heart
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On Discretion and the Examination of Spirits
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On Passions of the Soul
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On the Happiness and Purity of the Soul
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Of the Heart
The sixth of seven works included in On Contempt of the World, a popular 16th century compilation of Denis' writings.
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On Spiritual Growth and Custody of the Heart
The last of five works included in Ladder of the Religious, a popular 16th century compilation of Denis' writings.
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On Internal Peace and Spiritual Joy, Book One
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On Internal Peace and Spiritual Joy, Book Two
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On Prayer
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On Meditation
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On the Font of Light and Path of Life
The fifth of seven works included in On Contempt of the World, a popular 16th century compilation of Denis' writings.
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On Contemplation, Book One
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On Contemplation, Book Two
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On Contemplation, Book Three
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The Sound of Feasting
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A Dialogue on the Fire of Divine Love
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A Dialogue on the Perfection of Charity
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A Dialogue on the Particular Judgment at Every Death
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On the Last Four Things
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On the Trial of Death and its Various Occurrences
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A Sermon on the Divine Share of the Preelect
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Letters
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A Protest to His Superior
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Unedited Works
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