Social Wellsprings Fourteen Epochal Documents by Pope Leo XIII

Fourteen Epochal Documents by Pope Leo XIII on the Social Teachings

Edited and annotated by Fr. Joseph Husslein, S. J. - Cloth Hardcover -300 Pages

Few American Catholics truly understand the social teachings of the Catholic Church. This may be in part because many of the best papal teachings on this subject have either been ignored or not widely read by Americans. Father Husslein tried very hard to remedy this situation with the publication of two books in 1940 dedicated to solving this problem. He gathered together all of the encyclicals by the two popes who wrote most on the topic and made certain that the English translations were well organized, accurate, easily understandable, and readable in translation. He also made many notes that are helpful to the reader. The service he performed is treasured by all students of the Church's social doctrine and these two books, so long out of print, are now available again exactly as they were originally published.

If you have not read many of the encyclicals that were published before the modernization of encyclical writing that took place after the 2nd Vatican Council you are in for a real treat! The brevity, clarity, and chastity of the language will surprise you. Leo is no phenomenological exegete. He speaks the way one would expect the Vicar of Christ to speak, in clear, unambiguous, and manly language that is full of charity and Pius's unction and truth. No one who reads these most important social encyclicals will come away confused. Be warned, however, that their brevity is deceptive. They are overflowing with profound insights and exhortations, therefore, small doses properly savored and meditated upon are the best way to imbibe the true wisdom and sound doctrine found here.

Here is how Fr. Husslein dedicated this collection of the works of Leo XIII:

DEDICATED TO
SAINT JOSEPH

CARPENTER

SPOUSE OF MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD
PATRON OF THE CHURCH
PATRON OF THE WORKINGMAN
PATRON OF THE HOME
PATRON OF GOVERNMENTS

RULER

OF THE RULER OF THE WORLD