Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange

Réginald Marie Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P. (February 21, 1877, Auch, France – February 15, 1964, Rome) was a Catholic theologian and, among Thomists of the scholastic tradition, is generally thought to be the greatest Catholic Thomist of the 20th century. Outside the ranks of Thomists of that sort, his reputation is somewhat more mixed. He taught at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, commonly known as the Angelicum, in Rome from 1909 to 1960.

Father Garrigou-Lagrange initially attracted attention when he wrote against the theological movement later called Modernism. He is also said to be the drafter or "ghostwriter" of Pope Pius XII's 1950 encyclical Humani Generis, subtitled "Concerning Some False Opinions Threatening to Undermine the Foundations of Catholic Doctrine."

He is best known for his spiritual theology. His magnum opus in the field is The Three Ages of the Interior Life, in which he propounded the thesis that infused contemplation and the resulting mystical life are in the normal way of holiness of Christian perfection. This influenced the section entitled "Chapter V: The Universal Call to Holiness in the Church" in the Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium.

He taught many eminent Catholic theologians during his academic career, the most illustrious being the future Pope John Paul II, of whom he said "Writes much; says little." He is also known to have introduced Thomism to fellow theologian and priest Yves Congar, an expert on historical theology.

His Works

He produced 28 books and hundreds of articles. Among the most famous works are:

Commentaries on the Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas

• The One God, commentary on Summa Theologica I.1-26
• The Trinity and God the Creator, commentary on Summa Theologica I.27-119
• Beatitude (1951), commentary on Summa Theologica I-II.1-54
• Grace (1947), commentary on Summa Theologica I-II.109-114. Softcover. Hardcover.
• The Theological Virtues - Vol. 1: Faith (1948), commentary on Summa Theologica II-II.1-16
• Christ the Saviour (1945), commentary on Summa Theologica III.1-26, 31-59 Softcover.

Theological Works

• Christian Perfection and Contemplation according to St Thomas Aquinas and St John of the Cross (1923)
• God, His Existence and Nature: A Thomistic Solution of Certain Agnostic Antinomies (1914)
• Life Everlasting
• Life Everlasting and Immensity of the Soul (1947)
• The Love of God and the Cross of Jesus (1929)
• Predestination (1936)
• The Priest in Union with Christ (1948)
• Providence (1932)
• The Three Ages of the Interior Life: Prelude of Eternal Life (1938), synthesis of Christian Perfection and Contemplation and Love of God and the Cross of Jesus (online)
• The Three Ways of the Spiritual Life (1938) [1]

Marian Works

• The Mother of the Saviour and our Interior Life (1948)

Philosophical Works

• Reality: A Synthesis of Thomistic Thought Softcover. Hardcover. Free Audiobook.

• Works by or about Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange in libraries (WorldCat catalog)

See also

• Consecration and entrustment to Mary

External links

Biography

• Peddicord, Richard (2004). The sacred monster of Thomism : an introduction to the life and legacy of Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange. South Bend Ind.: St. Augustine's Press. ISBN 9781587317521. 
• A Saint in Heaven

Secondary

• Reason with Piety, Garrigou-Lagrange in the Service of Catholic Thought by Aidan Nichols Sapientia Press of Ave Maria University (2008)
• Audiobook of his Reality, digitally read at a fast pace