Carl McColman's Blog, page 73
October 27, 2012
See me on Darkwood Brew, Sunday October 28
Darkwood Brew
I’m pleased to announce that I will be appearing on the Darkwood Brew web television program tomorrow (Sunday, October 28) at 6 PM Eastern time. I hope you will tune in. Click on the link above to find Darkwood’s page and to watch the show.
As described on its website, Darkwood Brew “is an exploration of Christian faith for the modern world. The weekly program blends ancient contemplative practices with interactive web technology, music, arts, biblical scholarship and special gues...
October 25, 2012
Before the Cloud of Unknowing…
The Twelve Patriarchs • The Mystical Ark • Book Three of the Trinity
Before the Cloud of Unknowing, Richard of St. Victor (who lived in the twelfth century, a contemporary of Hildegard of Bingen and Bernard of Clairvaux) wrote this lovely passage in his work calledThe Mystical Ark:
When birds want to fly they spread out their wings. So, we surely ought to spread the wings of our heart by longing and wait for the time of divine showing at every house — nay, rather at every moment, so that at wha...
October 23, 2012
A Prophetic Word from Kenneth Leech
Kenneth Leech
Again and again, the Anglican theologian Kenneth Leech strikes me as one of the most important voices in contemporary Christian spirituality. Here is a passage from an introduction he wrote to a book, now long out of print, called Three Spiritual Directors for Our Time (by Julia Gatta, published by Cowley Publications, 1986):
The demand for spiritual direction, which has become something of an epidemic in parts of the United States, is an understandable reaction against consumeris...
October 15, 2012
Hildegard of Bingen Retreat in Atlanta This Weekend
This past weekend I led a retreat on Hildegard of Bingen at the Oratory in Rock Hill, SC. We explored Hildegard’s life, visions, writings, music, and illuminations, with an emphasis on how to apply her wisdom to our lives today.
If you’re in the Atlanta area — I’m offering a similar program this coming weekend at the Amerson House of Hospitality and Contemplative Life located on the grounds of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 1790 LaVista Road, Atlanta. You can sign up for just the Friday e...
October 11, 2012
The Rare Handful? (Jean Leclercq’s Definition of Mystical Experience)
Selected Works of Bernard of Clairvaux
In the Classics of Western Spirituality edition of the Selected Works of Bernard of Clairvaux, Benedictine scholar Jean Leclercq, OSB offers the follow definition of “mystical experience”:
…those rare occasions when a handful of Christians may enjoy sublime states of prayer and union with God.
What do you think? I have problems with the idea that mystical states are “rare” and only available to a “handful” of Christians. Perhaps Leclercq is trying to protec...
October 6, 2012
In Celebration of the Two New Doctors of the Church
Symphonia
Today, October 7, is the day Hildegard of Bingen is declared a Doctor of the Catholic Church. She is only the fourth woman to receive this honor (all four are mystics; the other three are Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena and Thérèse of Lisieux).
Joining Hildegard in being declared a Doctor today is John of Avila, a contemporary of Teresa and also a mystic. Hildegard and John bring the total number of Doctors of the Church to 35, joining such theological and mystical luminaries as A...
October 4, 2012
Celebrating Francis with Faith, Fern & Compass
Happy St. Francis Day!
Today, October 4, is the feast day forIl Poverello. And I have a confession to make: lately when I’ve been talking about St. Francis, it’s usually been to compare him to St. Hildegard of Bingen, who (this coming Sunday) will be declared a Doctor of the Church, an honor that Francis does not share (although his follower, St. Bonaventure, is a member of the Doctor club). When I’ve compared Francis and Hildegard, the question I’ve pondered is this: “Which one is more deserv...
October 1, 2012
Praying with St. John of the Cross
Seeking the Beloved
A friend of mine suggested I read Wayne Simsic’s Seeking the Beloved: A Prayer Journey with St. John of the Cross, offering the book pretty high praise: “I never ‘got’ John of the Cross until I read this book,” she said. That alone made me think it was worth checking out. And I would agree that this is an excellent primer to the great mystical theologian, deftly and accessibly interpreting his teachings in ways that make sense to the ordinary person of our day.
Simsic breaks...
September 28, 2012
How to Grow a Mandala
My wife pointed me to this video. Well worth watching — and trying out.
September 22, 2012
Introduction to Christian Mysticism through Evening at Emory
I’ll be teachingIntroduction to Christian Mysticism through Emory University’s Continuing Education Program. Classes meet on Monday evenings from November 5 through December 3. I hope I’ll see you there… and please tell your friends, share on Facebook, Twitter, etc.! Thank you.
To register:https://register.ece.emory.edu/modules/shop/index.html?action=section&OfferingID=3827&SectionID=17304
Course Description:
The renowned twentieth century German theologian Karl Rahner said, “The Christian of th...
