Indeed!

Teresa of Avila Called an Antidote to New Age Deceits: Spanish Bishop Notes Advance of "Pseudo-mysticism"

I have always loved St. Teresa of Avila. When, at that point in my life, I started taking my faith seriously, there was no Catholic book industry in the way there is now. What there was, and what I appreciated, where the writings that were left by many of the Church's Saints. That's how St. Teresa became a favourite of mine. Both she and St. John of the Cross, writing as Christian mystics, produced terrific, yet difficult, works, which meant that they had to be worked at to be understood. The learning process was a struggle, but the rewards are surely worth it...

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Once again

Take a Good Hard Look at the Evidence

You know, unlike Mr. Shea, my mind isn't made up that it's a fraud. But unlike tens, or hundreds, of thousands of adherents, my mind isn't made up that it's legitimate either. There are quite a few things about it that bother me quite a bit, that I can't reconcile with Church teaching or proper behaviour under authority, so I can't come down on its side.

Fortunately, I don't feel that I need to be part of the argument, either. One can have a deep love and devotion to the Blessed Mother (within the bounds of reason, that is. God is still God, and Jesus His son. People often forget about from whence salvation comes.) and still not believe in Medjugorje...

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Well...

Do iPads Cause Religious Experiences?

SWMBO just picked her iPad 2 up today, and, well, the jury's out on the religious experience thing...

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As would be expected




I love this soul as well...

The Mystique Of The Manual

I've read a lot, about her life and of her writings, and I feel some kinship with her. Why am I not surprised?

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A mystic I've never heard of

A modern, Catholic mystic...

Marie-Julie Jahenny

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It's generally known as

'the dark night of the soul rather than 'the long dark night of the soul'...


Church to celebrate feast of saint who wrote about the 'long dark night of the soul'

San Juan de la Cruz has always been one of my favourite saints. His holiness I would aspire to, but I know that I could never reach such heights of union with God I aspire only to a tiny, tiny, microscopic portion of that...

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To touch the divine...

From Contemplative Outreach:

"Nothing is more beautiful than the uniqueness
that God has created.

… You don't have to create the beauty
- you’ve got the beauty.

… You don't have to create the freedom
- you’ve got it.

… You don't have to create the image of God in you
- you have it.

… You don't have to win over God’s love
- you have more than you know what to do with."

- Thomas Keating, 'Centering Prayer,' Heartfulness: Transformation in Christ

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R.I.P. - Josyp Terelya

Ukrainian mystic was tortured by Soviets, but never denounced his Christian faith

"He had his first mystical experience at 5 and was known for having visions of the Virgin Mary"

I find it interesting that he was persecuted in the Soviet Union, and then in Canada "they weren't much impressed with him..." The two places he lived. It brings to mind the New Testament passage about a prophet not being honoured in his home town (see Mt 13:57)...

Rest in God's peace, Mr. Terelya...