Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-08-06
PORE LEO TO CARDINAL gibbons.
Approving the Enlargement OF the
Work OF the Catholic University.

The free text Of the Pope's letter OF
Iune 9th TO Cardinal Gibbons. published
on July 18th, in the Osservatore Romano
Of Rome, is as follows:
To our beloved son, James Cardinal Glib
hons, of the title OF st. Mary's beyond
the Tiber. Archbishop of Baltimore;
Leo Kill, Pope:
Beloved son. health and apostolic bene-
diction.-Another opportunity for mani
Testing our affection and our watchful
care toward your Catholic University is
afforded us by the most pleasing news
concerning il. which we have received
from you. Seeing that we nave ourselves
by apostolic authority established II ana
Invested II with the rights and privileges
nv law provided, we greatly rejoice, not
onIy that II has approved itself to us by
the fru,tfulness OF its good results du-
ring the past six years. but also that 1t
Is on the point Of undertaking still wider
work That we hoped for this develop
mont OF it's growth we declared in the
latter recently addressed by us TO your
self and other Bishops OF the United
States And now we learn that through
your ready response and through the IL
berality of the faithful. new departments
Of learning are To be inaugurated in the
university next October. which shall offer
fresh advantages to ecclesiastical stu
dents. and shall at the same time provide
the laity with superior facilities for
higher education. You have wisely de-
termined that these studies should be
comprised under faculty OF philosophy.
lint n philosophy equipped and adorned
with those various auxiliary studies,
which. when fully and learnedly pursued.
ON the one hand. lend light for the dis
covery of truth and add glory 10 truth
discovered; and. on the other hand, en-
nance the truth in public esteem and thus
render It more practically fruitful. or
such results we find good promise in the
names Of the distinguished professors al
ready chosen, especially because OF their
resolves faithfully to follow. as we have
prescribed. that surest method OF philo-
sophie study pointed out by ST. Thomas
Aquinas.
SO excellent an undertaking could not
but receive the approval and the best
wishes Of this apostolic see. whose Gus
tom IL has ever been to promise and I'm
every way to foster all learned studies.
We wish. therefore that the university
may. through this new development, more
and more advance, wax strong. and
flourish. for the advantage and the honor
both of religion and Of the republic. To II
let the Catholic colleges be earnest TO
send up their most talented and promising
students: in IL let the bonds Of holy unity
among Catholics be knit close and strong
an example Of surprising utility, and
from Il, as from a fountain open TO all,
may a great power Of both learning and
practical influence pour FAR and wide Tor
the best welfare Of all.
Meantime, upon yourself. beloved son.
and highong
tectors OF the university. upon those
through whose generous munificence II is
supported and developed. upon the pro-
fessors and students OF the new depart
ments. and upon all connected with the
institution. we most lovingly bestow the
apostolic bensdiction.
Given at st. Peters. In Rome. the 18th
day OF June. 1895, in the eighteenth year
OF our pontificate. LEO NIL, Pope.