I think the Christian mystical Three Ways could be very attractive to anyone in their general principles. I know people who are not believers who are doing hard interior work trying to understand themselves and honestly and courageously confront their faults and sins, and are working hard on the Purgative Way, and who - though they might not think to put it this way - have a deep, life-long desire for illumination from God, and ultimately union with Him.
... but of course, for the sake of accuracy, it's incorrect to call these the mystical traditions of the "Roman Church". These predate the east/west split that divided Christendom between Rome and Constantinople. They go all the way back to the Apostolic Age, and found their great flowering in the deserts of Egypt and Syria when the old Empire was still supreme.
The early Carmelites put in a bid for the idea that there is an eremitical tradition that goes back to Elijah (why predate only the Roman Church when you can also predate Rome? There is no evidence of this in any organized sense but it is a reminder of the olive tree into which we are grafted.)
I love the quote from Abbess Cecile, so much so that I printed it and it will be in my prayer space now. Her description of our Lord’s presence in the Tabernacle seems a model for how we should strive to present ourselves to Him. Peace — PAX — indeed.
Thank you for sharing these deep insights into the spiritual life and the balance between our natural and supernatural realities. Your words are a powerful reminder that the journey to holiness is about cultivating a true relationship with God, grounded in both daily practice and understanding. I appreciate how you make these profound concepts accessible and practical for our everyday lives.
Please don’t use my feed for “piggyback” advertising for your own material. Build your own audience. This is tacky and rude.
How can we learn more about the new Benedictine community?
Here's the previous article I did introducing them:
https://hilarywhite.substack.com/p/saints-beget-saints-a-benedictine
And this is their website:
https://reginapacismonastery.com/
I’m not a Christian, but I adore the great mystical traditions, including those found in the Roman Church. Thank you so much for sharing.
I think the Christian mystical Three Ways could be very attractive to anyone in their general principles. I know people who are not believers who are doing hard interior work trying to understand themselves and honestly and courageously confront their faults and sins, and are working hard on the Purgative Way, and who - though they might not think to put it this way - have a deep, life-long desire for illumination from God, and ultimately union with Him.
... but of course, for the sake of accuracy, it's incorrect to call these the mystical traditions of the "Roman Church". These predate the east/west split that divided Christendom between Rome and Constantinople. They go all the way back to the Apostolic Age, and found their great flowering in the deserts of Egypt and Syria when the old Empire was still supreme.
The early Carmelites put in a bid for the idea that there is an eremitical tradition that goes back to Elijah (why predate only the Roman Church when you can also predate Rome? There is no evidence of this in any organized sense but it is a reminder of the olive tree into which we are grafted.)
I love the quote from Abbess Cecile, so much so that I printed it and it will be in my prayer space now. Her description of our Lord’s presence in the Tabernacle seems a model for how we should strive to present ourselves to Him. Peace — PAX — indeed.
Thank you for introducing Sister Monica in your conference. I also greatly appreciate your encouragement and clear spiritual directions.
Thank you for sharing these deep insights into the spiritual life and the balance between our natural and supernatural realities. Your words are a powerful reminder that the journey to holiness is about cultivating a true relationship with God, grounded in both daily practice and understanding. I appreciate how you make these profound concepts accessible and practical for our everyday lives.