Includes bibliographical references and index

Invitatory. Matins (1881-1906). Before Raissa -- Raissa -- Conversion -- Lauds (1906-1918). Spiritual directions -- Versailles -- The Villard bequest -- Action Francaise -- Prime (1918-1923). Cercles d'ťudes thomistes -- Vae mihi si non thomistizavero -- Tierce (1923-1926). Maritain's Kulturkampf -- Art and scholasticism -- Contesting the Hegemony of Gide -- Sext (1927-1940). Primacy of the spiritual -- Controversy over Christian philosophy -- Degrees of knowledge -- Gilson and Maritain -- Second thoughts on a first book -- Return to the left -- Dispute with Claudel -- Nones (1940-1948). Exile in New York -- The heart of the matter -- Adventures in grace -- Ambassador to the Vatican -- Vespers (1948-1960). Man and the state -- Creative intuition -- Intuition of being -- Moral philosophy -- Liturgy and contemplation -- Compline (1960-1973). The journals -- Peasant of the Garonne -- Little brother of Jesus -- Nunc dimittis

"The Very Rich Hours of Jacques Maritain is distinguished philosopher Ralph McInerny's hymn of praise to the spiritual and intellectual life of the great Catholic philosopher Jacques Maritain (1881-1973). The structure of this work is modeled on the medieval book of hours, making use of the daily offices, from Matins through Compline, to examine each stage of life of Maritain and his wife, Raissa. Through this unique blending of biography and meditation, McInerny creates a powerful portrait of the Maritains, one that reveals a model of the intellectual life as lived by Christian believers."--BOOK JACKET