Need some book recommendations

[ccmnxc]

First off, I am not really sure where the heck this thread out to go, so if it is way out of place, fell free to move it.

Anyways, I was considering buying some books written by Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, and I was wondering what others who are familiar with him might recommend. I have been eyeing Life Everlasting and the Immensity of the Soul: A Theological Treatise on the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell, but aside from that, I do not know what (if anything) to get. I feel most of his work on Thomism would be too difficult for me (I don’t even have the vocabulary down yet), but I was wondering what books others might recommend.

 

[Linusthe2nd]

First off, I am not really sure where the heck this thread out to go, so if it is way out of place, fell free to move it.

Anyways, I was considering buying some books written by Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, and I was wondering what others who are familiar with him might recommend. I have been eyeing Life Everlasting and the Immensity of the Soul: A Theological Treatise on the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell, but aside from that, I do not know what (if anything) to get. I feel most of his work on Thomism would be too difficult for me (I don’t even have the vocabulary down yet), but I was wondering what books others might recommend.

Are you primarily interested in the Spiritual Life or Philosophy? And why RGL especially?

Linus2nd

 

[KevJohn]

I have no idea if you are a cleric, or called, or a layperson, but regardless I would recommend Priesthood and Perfection, in w hich you would find an incredible treatment of the supernatural Virtue of faith and its role in our lives, and then a superb treatment on the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Ghost. Its an incredible book, though it does have *some * parts that are particular to Priests.

Also, The Three Ways of the Interior Life, which is a short treatment of the spiritual life and the three conversions involved in the transition from purgative way to illuminative way and from there to the unitive way. (Please note, not to be confused with the much larger two-volume The Three Ages of the Interior Life, which is a more scholastic treatment of the same matter).

YOu might also consider Our Saviour and His Love for Us, which is an analysis of the Incarnation and Sacrifice of Christ viewed through the lens of charity, and which considers the interior life of Christ - his virtues, prayer, passions, desires, sanctity, etc - and draws from it the implications for our lives. There is a similar treatment of the HolyMother of God in Mother of the Saviour. You can find some of these on PDF online, and they are all available relatively cheaply on reprint!
Fr Garrigou-Lagrange is quite something, and far from the dry manualist he is alleged to be! His central focus is charity, in God and in His children, and in his mystical and ascetical writings he sets out to demonstrate the consistency of Thomistic philosophy and theology with the mysticism of the Carmelites (in Christian Perfection and Contemplation, for instance, again available easily on PDF and cheap reprint).

 

[ccmnxc]

Are you primarily interested in the Spiritual Life or Philosophy? And why RGL especially?

Linus2nd

I am willing to read about either. Philosophy has been my go-to for awhile, but I am trying to branch out. I also feel getting rooted in the theology might help me a little more in philosophy. As far as why I want RGL, I figured I’d give him a try since he is considered by many to be one of the leading Thomists of the 20th century, as well as the fact that the guy helped JPII in his doctoral work.
KevJohn, thanks for the suggestions. I am a layperson (still in high school), so I’d probably struggle with anything too scholarly. Thanks as well for outlining what each book has to offer. That helps a lot

 

[polytropos]

My understanding is that Reality: A Synthesis of Thomistic Thought is Garrigou-Lagrange’s most accessible and broad work. (I haven’t read him.)

I’d also suggest Elizabeth Anscombe, particularly her recently published collections of essays Human Life, Action and Ethics and Faith in a Hard Ground. A lot of her writings are pretty challenging, but worth it. (Others are more accessible, depending on her audience.)