The Indulgences of the Holy Year are usually extended to the Universal Church after the closing of the Holy Doors. In 1650 there was such an extension till Easter Sunday, 1651, which fell on 30th March in England, but on 9th April in countries that had adopted the reformed calendar. The following sermon was written by Bl. Peter Wright, S.J., and exists in a volume of sermons, all in his own handwriting, at Stonyhurst. I gratefully acknowledge the kindness of Fr H. Chadwick, S.J., the Librarian, in allowing me to transcribe and publish it.

Bl. Peter Wright was born at Slipton in Northamptonshire of a Catholic yeoman family, lost his faith as a young man, and went to Holland to fight with the English Protestant regiment against the Spaniards, who then possessed half the Netherlands. He soon, however, deserted, was reconciled to the Church and became a Jesuit. He was appointed chaplain to the English regiment fighting on the side of the Spaniards.

The Rhenish school drew into its orbit many of the contemplatives of the time. They were not of the stature of their predecessors. The sole exception to this mediocrity was of course Bl. John Ruysbroeck (†1381). This great mystic of Groenandael depends in more than one point on Master Eckhart, but he has been careful not to leave any ambiguity on his ‘dualist’ thought, that is, on his doctrine of the distinction between God and the creature. The Book of Supreme Truth (Dat boec der hoechster waerheit) has expressly stated this: ‘no creature can be or become holy to the point of losing its created nature and becoming God'. Certain expressions of Book III of the Spiritual Nuptials (De gheestelyke brulocht) did however give rise to the criticisms of Gerson.

Ruysbroeck's mystical teaching explains, then, in what Measure man can arrive at union with God. At the beginning pf his career as a writer, he admitted the possibility of the intuitive vision of the divine essence.

Of all the biblical books that have appeared during recent months, the first one stands out as of particular merit among those we are describing in this note.

Gospel Gleanings, by Thomas Nicklin (Longmans; 2 is.), is in fact a series of very scholarly studies of a number of points which cover most of the field of research in the subject. The sections were written at various times, and now, in the author's old age, have been gathered together into a unity. Many of Mr Nicklin's conclusions have stood the test of time, having been first stated in various articles or lectures, published, unpublished, or privately printed during the last fifty years, but they are now assembled for the study of all. And they are valuable and often new contributions. The Catholic reader is cheered to find these mature fruits of Anglican scholarship presenting the orthodox conclusions that he himself has long been taught, and presenting them with all the apparatus of recent studies.

This book is an important contribution to the literature of the spiritual and religious life; how important we shall discuss presently. The Foreword tells us that it is a translation of papers read at the Journées d'Etudes by a number of priests, secular and regular, which were later arranged by the Editor of La Vie Spirituelle for the benefit of French religious sisters and published in two volumes under the titles Directoire des Superieures and Les Adaptations de la Vie Religieuse. The former was intended for superiors and the latter for religious women in general. The translation is presented in one volume, with certain modifications of the original which are indicated in the text, and the addition of a very helpful chapter by an English doctor, R. E. Havard, M.D.

There can be little doubt that a book of this kind, which faces many present-day problems with wisdom and courage, is long overdue.