The Mother of the Saviour and Our Interior Life by Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O. P. (review)

BOOK REVIEWS 9l79 Other questions are treated incidentally in an equally happy manner, as evidenced by the brief remarks on modern existentialism. Perhaps, one of the most important notions is that of empiriological physics as an " art " set over against " science " in the true sense of the term. Each chapter offers suggestions for further reading. There are few bibliographical references, a feature dictated, probably, by the wish of the author of supply a helpful text for students. Nonetheless, more references would have been an asset. One might find fault with some minor details. For instance, it is difficult to see what is the meaning of an atom being heated (p. "64) . It is not correct that the cosmogonic theory originally suggested by Kant and elaborated by Laplace is known by the name of the latter only; German textbooks, at least, refer, to it as the theory of Kant-Laplace (p. 87). Some passages might be phrased in a happier manner. It is to be hoped that the book will have more editions so that there will be an opportunity for eliminating these, in fact, insignificant blemishes. There may be some points on which one might disagree with the author. This is inevitable in any such enterprise which is, to a large extent, a new one. In any case, one has ample reasons to be grateful to Dr. Smith for having filled out a lacuna whose existence many students and teachers cannot but have felt quite keenly. The book should be widely read and used by both student and teacher. Georgetown University, Washington, D. C. RUDOLF ALLERS. The Mother of the Saviour and Our Interior Life. By REGINALD GARRIGOULAGRANGE , 0. P. Translated by BERNARD J. KELLY, C. S. Sp. St. Louis: Herder, 1949. $4.00. This recently translated work of Father Garrigou-Lagrange is a more detailed study or explication of a doctrine treated summarily and in outline form in his Three Ages. As the title indicates:his principal intention is to inculcate in his readers a true appreciation of and a true devotion to Our Blessed Mother. His aim is to show that Mary who is the Mother of God is also the Mother of God the Saviour Who redeemed us by His sacrificial death, and that she now exercises through her merits. and prayers a moral influence in the growth of our spiritual life and in the increase of union with Christ and through Him with God. He proposes, therefore, to expose the dignity of the Blessed Mother of God and her relationship to us, her spiritual children: " This book is intended to be an exposition of the principal theses of Mariology in their bearing on our interior life " (Author's 280 BOOK REVIEWS Prefaee). In order to accomplish this objective, the author "exposes the common teaching of the Church, transmitted by the Fathers and explained by theologians " (p. 177) . " The doctrines proposed in this book are not personal ones; it has been my aim to give what is most commonly held by theologians-especially those of the Thomistic school-and to explain the various points in the light of St. Thomas's principles" (Author's Preface). In the light of his end and the method adopted to attain his end, it is evident that this hook contains a speculative and a practical aspect. And this is reasonable, since he aims to excite his readers to a loving consideration of their Blessed Mother. In order that this devotion have a firm basis he devotes considerable time to the dignity and excellence that belong to Mary in her own right. After considering the truth that pertains to Mary, that truth, by extension, becomes for us an object that attracts our affection , a good to be loved, a person to whom we owe devotion and love, in conformity with the divine plan for human redemption and salvation. This is the only way that one man may influence another, by proposing a good to his intellect and will, by persuading one with telling arguments to act in such a way as to be joined or united with that good. The disposition required to pursue that suggestion comes from God, since God's...