216BOOK REVIEWS stituting that of Alfarabi and Avicenna who had insisted on the real distinction of essence and existence. This conviction that real simplicity is so intimately a divine attribute that it cannot be attributed to a creature seems to have been a common misconception among the scholastics up to the time of Aureoli. In his analysis of St. Thomas' relation to Avicenna in the matter of the necessity and contingency of the angels, Dr. Collins seems to lean rather heavily upon Father G. Smith's interpretation of Avicennian "possibility". To the reviewer, it seems more a matter of viewpoint whether the Avicennian "possible" be portrayed as wholly independent of God or wholly dependent upon God. For in one sense, at least, Avicenna has come closer to the accepted Christian interpretation of creatural contingency (a parte creaturae) than Averroes, or even St. Thomas himself in the matter of the angels. For Aquinas, according to Dr. Collins, seems to reject this "tendency to non being" (p. 128) and to retain, though of course in a profoundly modified form, that peculiar Aristotelian notion of the Intelligences as a sort of intermediary gods, who as entia a se were independent of God in their being, although dependent upon God as the final cause of their agere. The interpretation of Avicenna, however, is a moot question, and this reviewer could hardly take issue with the author for the interpretation he has so ably presented and drawn to its logical conclusions . A great deal more could be said in praise of this study of Dr. Collins, but, lest this review become unseemingly long, we conclude with the suggestion that the reader interested in this too often neglected phase of Thomistic philosophy, peruse this clearly written scholarly work for himself. Allan Wolter, O.F.M. Franciscan Institute, St. Bonaventure, N. Y. Treading the Winepress. By William Stephenson, S. J. Westminster. Md.: Newman Bookshop, 1946. Pp. xviii, 336. $2.50. Father Stephenson's book deserves a prominent place on the everincreasing list of spiritual and ascetical volumes written here and abroad. It is a fast and moving presentation of the Gospel narrative on the Passion of our Blessed Saviour, accompanied by spiritual reflections . These are the two main features of the book. In reality, it is a book of meditation on the Blessed Passion of Christ. BOOK REVIEWS217 The reflections are, in many cases, an expanding of the brief points connected with the Passion, and marked out for special consideration by St. Ignatius, in the Third Week of his Spiritual Exercises. A great variety, too, of reflections has been offered, so as to suit the tastes and meet the needs of individual classes of readers. The first five chapters contain preliminary remarks. They deal with the remote and immediate events leading up to the Passion; emphasis is laid on the importance and on the fruits derived from the meditation of Christ's Passion; general norms or hints are given for a fruitful contemplation; finally, a method of examination of conscience is proposed. The remaining twelve chapters are taken up with the two main features of the book. The author does not claim much originality for the work; he has culled the best material from various sources. The book is commendable for its easy reading, accurate narrative of the Gospel data, refreshing thoughts, and inspiring reflections. Gregory Grabka, O.F.M. Conv. Si. Hyacinth Seminary, Granby, Mass. Recalling St. Anthony of Padua. By Rev. Fr. Marcellus Manzo, O.F.M. Cap., M.A., Ph.D., New York City, N. Y. Copyright, 1946. Pp. ? plus 55. Illustrated. 8vo. ("Copies of this book may be obtained from the author at 213 Stanton St., New York City, N. Y") The proclamation of St. Anthony of Padua as a Doctor of the Church Universal by Pope Pius XII on Jan. 16, 1946, has, as is usual on such and similar occasions, evoked from Franciscan and other literateurs a large bibliography and inspired festive celebrations. Besides the encyclicals by each of the three Minister Generals of the First Franciscan Order, accounts of the various festivities held throughout the world have been publicized, books printed and bibliographies compiled. Among the printed accounts were the...