The Mother of the Savior by Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange

[Stone]

THE MOTHER OF THE SAVIOUR AND OUR INTERIOR LIFE
by Reverend Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange O.P.

Translated by Father Bernard J. Kelly, C.S.Sp., D.D.

“O God, who art the greatness of the humble, reveal to us Mary’s humility, which is proportioned to the elevation of her charity.” —2 Timothy 4:3–4

1949, by B. Herder Book Company, St. Louis, Missouri, US.

Nihil Obstat:
Michael L. Dempsey, S.T.D.
Theol. Censor Deputatus

Imprimatur:
I-John Carol
Archbishop of Dublin,
Primate of Ireland Dublin,
December 8, 1948

Imprimi Potest:
Patrick O’Carroll, C.S.Sp.
Provincial Superior Dublin,
December 2, 1948

Imprimi Potest:
Fr. Bernard Marie, O.P.
Vicar Provincial of the Free Zone
July 8, 1941

Reverend Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange O.P. was professor of Dogma and Mystical Theology in the Angelico, Rome.

Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God and Our Mother who placed all Her greatness in God and was filled by Him with good things, in token of profound gratitude and filial obedience.

THE MOTHER OF THE SAVIOUR


TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE

A theologian of the eminence of Father Garrigou-Lagrange does not himself need to be introduced to the public, This present work of his would, however, seem to invite a few words of explanation.

It is not a devotional book in the ordinary sense of the term: it is too openly theological for that. On the other hand, it is no mere theological treatise: the author’s aim has been to inflame hearts no less than to enlighten minds. The result is a work which demands more intellectual application than many others on Our Lady. But, by way of compensation, it touches the will at a deeper and more spiritual level than would a work of less rich content. The author’s insistence—a fully justified one—on the doctrinal side of his subject has, of course, left little room for mere literary ornament. But this lack, if lack it be, will not turn away any reader who is sincerely desirous to know Our Lady better.

As for the translation itself, though care has been taken not to attribute to Father Garrigou-Lagrange anything he did not write, it has not been possible always to translate the original with literal fidelity. Theologians who wish to use the book for strictly scientific purposes would be well advised to compare passages they intend to quote with the original. The translator will be glad to supply it, if necessary, as far as possible.

Holy Ghost Missionary College, Kimmage,
Corpus Christi, May 27th, 1948.

AUTHOR’S PREFACE

This book is intended to be an exposition of the principal theses of Mariology in their bearing on our interior life. While writing it I have noticed more than once how often it has happened that a theologian admitted some prerogative of Our Lady in his earlier years under the influence of piety and admiration of her dignity. A second period then followed when the doctrinal difficulties came home to him more forcefully, and he was much more reserved in his judgement. Finally there was the third period, when, having had time to study the question in its positive and speculative aspects, he returned to his first position, not now because of his sentiment of piety and admiration, but because his more profound understanding of Tradition and theology revealed to him that the measure of the things of God—and in a special way those things of God which affect Mary—is more overflowing than is commonly understood. If the masterpieces of human art contain unsuspected treasures, the same must be said, with even more reason, of God’s masterpieces in the orders of nature and grace, especially when they bear an immediate relation to the Hypostatic Order, which is constituted by the mystery of the Incarnation of the Word. I have endeavoured to show how these three periods may be found exemplified in the process of St Thomas’ teaching on the Immaculate Conception.

These periods bear a striking analogy to three others in the affective order. It has often been noticed that a soul’s first affective stage may be one of sense-perceptible devotion, for example to the Sacred Heart or the Blessed Virgin. This is followed by a stage of aridity. Then comes the final stage of perfect spiritual devotion, overflowing on the sensibility. May the Good God help the readers of this book who wish to learn of the greatness of the Mother of God and men to understand in what this spiritual progress consists.

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.1 Lastly, every effort has been made to avoid merely metaphorical expressions. There are sometimes too many of them in books on Our Lady. A bibliography is given with each question treated.