A Letter from Pope Leo XIII

To Our Beloved Son Michael Baglin
Prior General of the Carthusians

Leo P.P.Pastor Pastorum, or Shepherd of Shepherds. XIII

Dear Son,
Greetings and Apostolic Blessing.

The praises heaped upon the writings of Denis the Carthusian by distinguished men, both wise and holy, bear lasting witness to the value they have always held. For in them shines forth both an amazing experience of Christian asceticism and a singular desire to illuminate and defend the faith. And to the rest of the merits of this devout author is added this also: that since he was well-versed in scholastic philosophy, he wisely drew out that which both supported catholic teachings and eagerly fostered piety. It is therefore a just desire of educated men that the many and diverse works produced by Denis should be published in a single edition for easier use. Since you all, Beloved Son, have taken up the completion of this work of no small labor, we greatly commend your plan, and we have no doubt that with your diligence and care the upcoming edition will measure up to the dignity of the author and his subjects.

Moreover, we attribute it to your devotion to the Apostolic See that you have decided to dedicate this work to us. For all this, and indeed for the volume recently presented, we are rightly grateful to you all, and we beseech from God an abundance of heavenly gifts for the entire Carthusian Order. Finally, as a sign of our goodwill, receive the Apostolic blessing which we most lovingly impart to all of you in the Lord.

Given in Rome at Saint Peter's on April 1, 1896, in the nineteenth year of Our Pontificate.

Leo P.P. XIII