The Three Ages of the Interior Life: Prelude of Eternal Life: Volume 1

by Réginald Garrigou-Lagrange, M. Timothea Doyle (Translator), Catholic Way Publishing (Producer)

Ésta es una de las obras maestras de espiritualidad de nuestra época. Es un compendio preciso y profundo, pero accesible, de las principales fases que las almas suelen atravesar en su relación con Dios. Esta obra vio la luz, por primera vez, en 1938, fruto del saber enciclopédico del autor, de su experiencia personal y pastoral en la vida interior y de veinte años de docencia sobre esta materia, y fue una de las obras que más contribuyó a fundar la teología espiritual como disciplina plenamente teológica. El fin de este primer volumen es establecer con rigor la tesis por él sostenida de la necesidad moral de la contemplación infusa de los misterios de la fe para alcanzar la santidad, al menos en la mayoría. La obra está compuesta de dos volúmenes. El primero contiene dos de las cinco partes de la "Las fuentes de la vida interior y su fin", donde se ponen las bases de la vida interior y "La purificación del alma de los principiantes", que trata, sobre todo, de los temas de la ascesis cristiana.

Genres: Catholic

598 pages, Paperback

Published March 11, 2015

About the author

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. 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.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reginald...

Reviews

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful. Intense. For any Catholic serious about his faith journey. I found this one from Dan Burke's book on Spiritual Direction, and when another reviwer likened it to "Fire Within," I knew I had to try.

The first few chapters were difficult for me--I had to have the Catechism as well as a dictionary. I'm quite sure it must be on Masters and PhD Theology lists of reading. Once it changed from commentary and hardcore theological introduction I read more quickly and boy am I glad I stuck with it. This is the first volume (of two) detailing the journey of a soul's interior life from beginning to unitive way. It inspires and chastises. It reminds and prods. It's packed with footnotes and citations and bursts with Church teaching from all the heavy saints on prayer and the spiritual life and the call to perfection. If you follow theological arguments from specific theologians there are plenty of refutations and comments you will find useful (I do not, so don't let that intimate you if you don't, either...It merely showed me a world of theological discussion I had no idea had been or is taking place. Pretty cool). Overall, an important and under-read book for serious Catholics.

[Jana Sullinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has taken awhile to finish Volume I. This classic is so full of spiritual wisdom and guidance, it has proven invaluable. It never fails, that even if I have put the volume down for awhile, then pick it back up, the reading has unfailingly had some importance in my life at that time. Highly recommended.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pg. 408

"When you see the ordained priest at the altar raising the sacred host toward heaven, do not believe that this man is the true (principal) priest, but, raising your thoughts above what strikes the senses, consider the hand of Jesus Christ invisibly extended." -St. John Chrysostom

The priest whom we see with our eyes of flesh cannot penetrate all the depths of this mystery, but above him there is the intellect and will of Christ, the principal Priest. If the minister is not always what he should be, the principal Priest is infinitely holy; if the minister, even though very good, may be slightly distracted or occupied with the exterior ceremonies of the sacrifice, without penetrating their inmost meaning, there is above him One who is not distracted and who offers to God with full knowledge reparatory adoration of infinite value, supplication and thanksgiving of limitless power.

[Slow Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a great reference to topics on spiritual life and short chapters make things easy to find. I read about ten pages a day and during the second half of the book I usually found something in it to challenge me each day. This is a synthesis of writing on the spiritual tradition so don't expect any new perspectives. The first part of the book gets into some theological debates that I found superfluous and the entire book could have been shortened by 1/3. I prefer Doyle's "Guidance on Spiritual Direction" and Larchet's "Therapy of Spiritual Illnesses" to this book.

[Camden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly amazing synthesis of the Purgative Way according to St. Thomas Aquinas, St. John of the cross, many other prominent saints and theologians. Looking forward to volume 2 in which he discusses the Illuminative and Unitive Ways to perfection.