It’s been a long time since I wrote about St. John of the Cross. The main reason for that is it takes so much time to delve into his writings, understand them myself, then relay them in a way I think my readers will understand. But today we’re going to revisit St. John briefly. Let’s …
Getting back to The Spiritual Canticle of St. John of the Cross, let’s look at what he says about growth in prayer. (Sorry this post is so much later in the week than usual. It’s been a hard week for our family. I going to try to get back on track soon.) Recall that The …
What is the contemplative life? What does it entail? What is its purpose? Let’s start our study of St. John of the Cross’s spirituality with these questions. Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen writes in Union with God According to St. John of the Cross: [The contemplative life] is the form of Christian life that …
“What is Centering Prayer? What are its origins? Is it a form of New Age meditation, or a thoroughly Catholic prayer method that can lead to contemplation? Connie Rossini digs into the writings and public statements of Fr. Thomas Keating, one of Centering Prayer’s foremost proponents. She compares his words with the writings of St. …
After a long break, I am writing another post for my series “Finding God in Children’s Literature.” The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis has been one of my favorite children’s books since I first read it in fourth grade. Recently I found myself pondering its profundity during Mass. Not the worst …
Souls generally remain in the fourth mansions of the Interior Castle for years. But for those who are raised beyond them, even greater intimacy with God lies ahead. Today we begin exploring Teresa of Avila’s fifth mansions. The prayer of union begins in the fifth mansions. How does it differ from the prayer of quiet? …