The interior life is for all the one thing necessary. It ought to be constantly developing in our souls; more so than what we call our intellectual life, more than our scientific, artistic, or literary life. The interior life is lived in the depths of the soul; it is the life of the whole man, not merely one or the other of his faculties. And our intellectual life would gain immeasurably by appreciating this; it would receive an inestimable advantage if, instead of attempting to supplant the spiritual life, it recognized its necessity and importance, and welcomed its beneficial influence – the influence of the theological virtues and the gifts of the Holy Ghost. How deeply important our subject is may be seen in the very words we have used: Intellectuality and Spirituality. And it is important to us not only as individuals, but also in our social relations, for it is evident that we can exert no real or profound influence upon our fellow men unless we live a truly interior life ourselves. The pressing need of devoting ourselves to the consideration of the one thing necessary is especially manifest in these days of general chaos and unrest, when so many men and nations, neglecting their true destiny, give themselves up entirely to acquiring earthly possessions, failing to realize how inferior these are to the everlasting riches of the spirit.
-Garrigou-Lagrange
Teacher of Saint Pope John Paul II
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