Franciscan Studies

250BOOK REVIEWS Morris' excellent and penetrating little book, and we have little doubt but that it will bear abundant spiritual fruit. Siena College, Loudonville, New York. J. B. Carol, O.F.M. Compendium Mariologix. By Gabriel M. Roschini, O.S.M. Romae : Scientia Catholica, 1946. Pp. 8+512. Father Roschini hardly needs an introduction to students of theology ; he is a veteran in the field, having written a considerable number of monographs and articles on various theological topics, particularly on Mariology. He is the founder and editor of Marianum, a magazine exclusively devoted to the theology of our Blessed Lady. Not the least tribute to his competence as a serious theologian is the fact that the Holy Father recently appointed him consultor of the Holy Office in Rome. While the book is supposed to be a "compendium" of his monumental "Mariologia" (in three large volumes) it has actually turned out to be the most complete and exhaustive treatise on Mariology that we know of. Here we find scholarly dissertations not only on such "standard" theses as the Divine Maternity, the Immaculate Conception, the Perpetual Virginity and the Assumption of our Lady, but also on such intriguing topics as the fundamental principle of Mariology, our Lady's singular predestination and her role as Co-redemptrix of the human race. The lengthy discussion on the last point is particularly interesting and penetrating. As might be expected from a faithful disciple of the late Cardinal Lépicier, the author uncompromisingly adheres to the opinion now common among Catholic theologians, namely, that our Blessed Lady's cooperation in the "objective" work of Redemption was not only remote and mediate but also proximate and immediate. In other words, her sufferings were accepted by God (together with, and subordinate to, the sufferings of Christ) as having a true meritorious and satisfactory value for our liberation from the servitude of sin. The book has many other merits on which we would gladly elaborate were it not for the lack of space. At any rate, the author is highly deserving of every encomium on this valuable contribution to the field of Mariology. His work reveals not only a vast erudition, its bibliographical data being virtually complete, but also a rare ability . in weighing the various arguments in favor or against a given thesis. While we would hesitate to endorse some of the opinions advanced by the author, particularly those deviating from the Franciscan School, nevertheless we gladly recommend the book to our readers and express the hope that it will soon become available to all students of theology not only in Europe but in the United States as well. J. B. Carol, O.F.M. Siena College, Loudonville, New York. ...