Accordingly in His great kindness, God, Who is ever attentive to the needs and well-being of His Church, chose BRUNO, a man of eminent sanctity, for the work of bringing the contemplative life back to the glory of its original integrity. To that intent BRUNO founded the Carthusian Order, imbued it thoroughly with his own spirit and provided it with those laws which might efficaciously induce its members, freed from the demands of every sort of exterior ministry and office, to advance speedily along the way of inward sanctity and of the most rigorous penance; laws which would also impel them to persevere with steadfast hearts in the same austere and hard life. And it is a recognized fact that through nearly nine hundred years the Carthusians have so well retained the spirit of their founder, Father and lawgiver that unlike other religious institutes, their Order has never in so long a space of time needed any amendment, or, as they say, reform.  –The solemn teaching of Pope Pius XI on the Apostolic Value of Carthusian Life: Contemplatives in the Heart of the Church.