Church Fathers who audibly heard the voice of God

[abenassi]

Hello,

I have a non-Catholic friend in another forum who asked me to research a question he had. He wants to know whether there were any Church Fathers who heard the audible voice of God. I’m not talking about St. Peter, St. Paul, or any instances we find in the Bible. But rather the Fathers of antiquity.

I already pointed out two prominent well-known Saints who did, St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Francis of Assisi. But I think he is looking for more antiquated experiences.

It appears that he doesn’t believe that God talks to people today, but seems to put some weight into the Church fathers such that such references might cause him to reconsider.

Thanks in advance.

 

[AKDee]

God still talks to people today. I was recently listening to a Priest talk on a Lighthouse Catholic Media CD and he specifically referenced God talking to him. Out loud. I’ll see if I can find the CD so I can tell you who it was.

 

[christofirst]

More antiquated than Saints Francis or Thomas Aquinas? How about St. Anthony of the Desert (b. 251)? From the Life of St. Anthony by St Athanasius, referring to the temptations of Anthony:

Anthony, seeing that help was come, breathed more freely, being eased of his pains. And he asked the vision, “Where wert Thou? Why didst Thou not show Thyself from the beginning, to end my suffering?” And a voice came to him,** “I was here Anthony, but I waited to see thy resistance. Therefore, since thou hast endured and not yielded, I will always be thy Helper, and I will make thee renowned everywhere.”**

Modern ears might think St. Anthony imagined the voice, and St. Athanasius (or his translator) uses the more vague term “came to him” instead of “heard” when telling us about the voice, but it sounds to me like St. Anthony heard the voice.

 

[abenassi]

Thanks, I will mention St. Anthony of the Desert.

I personally believe that God does talk to people today, but this particular non-Catholic friend wants more antiquated evidence. I don’t know what it means to him, but it is something more significant for him if it is ancient.

Of course there are many recent ones, St. Margaret Mary Alocoque, St. Faustina i can think of too, among others.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

I’ll beg forgiveness and pardon for my ignorance of the lives and specific experiences of the Saints mentioned here, but from the OP, I took this to mean God the Father and that this was a sensory experience - heard with human ears.

My understanding is that the last time anyone heard the audible voice of God the Father was at the Baptism of Our Lord in the Jordan. Afterward, God spoke through the Son, our Savior, from that time and until His glorious Ascension. The Holy Spirit guides us now, until the end days.

 

[abenassi]

I’ll beg forgiveness and pardon for my ignorance of the lives and specific experiences of the Saints mentioned here, but from the OP, I took this to mean God the Father and that this was a sensory experience - heard with human ears.

My understanding is that the last time anyone heard the audible voice of God the Father was at the Baptism of Our Lord in the Jordan. Afterward, God spoke through the Son, our Savior, from that time and until His glorious Ascension. The Holy Spirit guides us now, until the end days.

He only specified “God” and I take that to mean God in all forms: some kind of audible voice that comes from God, and not counting (presumably) those instances recorded in the Bible.

I don’t think that Jesus was limited to the time you say, though. We know that Jesus spoke to Peter and Paul post ascension, and the Church has approved several visions of Jesus where he has spoken to various saints.

Surely the last time scripture records the voice of the Father is probably the transfiguration, not the Baptism, but that’s neither here nor there. He may speak to people today, I don’t know. It’s of course possible; nothing is impossible for God.

This friend of mine is more interested in the Church fathers, for whatever reason, and whether they ever heard an audible voice from God. He hasn’t really reacted yet to sending him the info about St. Anthony of the Desert.

 

[TimothyH]

I’ll beg forgiveness and pardon for my ignorance of the lives and specific experiences of the Saints mentioned here, but from the OP, I took this to mean God the Father and that this was a sensory experience - heard with human ears.

My understanding is that the last time anyone heard the audible voice of God the Father was at the Baptism of Our Lord in the Jordan. Afterward, God spoke through the Son, our Savior, from that time and until His glorious Ascension. The Holy Spirit guides us now, until the end days.

It’s called a locution. One hears a voice and understands the words. Those who have had one can attest to the fact that it is not just a thought or feeling. It is audible in spite of the fact that there is no sound.

It is a very profound experience, something you will remember for the rest of your life. God does this for individuals for many reasons - to instill or increase faith, prove to someone that He is real, etc.

-Tim-

 

[Ignatius]

I’ll beg forgiveness and pardon for my ignorance of the lives and specific experiences of the Saints mentioned here, but from the OP, I took this to mean God the Father and that this was a sensory experience - heard with human ears.

My understanding is that the last time anyone heard the audible voice of God the Father was at the Baptism of Our Lord in the Jordan. Afterward, God spoke through the Son, our Savior, from that time and until His glorious Ascension. The Holy Spirit guides us now, until the end days.

 

[TimothyH]

It’s called a locution and many have experienced it.

-Tim-

 

[Mintaka]

Fr. Hardon’s dictionary says:

LOCUTION. A supernatural communication to the ear, imagination, or directly to the intellect. The locution is supernatural in the manner of communication, that is, beyond the ordinary laws of nature.

Spurious locutions may come from the evil spirit and can be recognized by their lack of coherence or clarity, the disquiet they cause in the one who receives them, and the evil effects they produce in those who listen to them.

(Etymology: Latin locutio, a speaking, speech, discourse; from loqui, to speak.)

An “interior locution” is one that goes directly to the auditory imaging parts of your brain (“imaginative locution”), or your intellect (“intellectual locution”).

An “exterior locution,” “auricular locution,” or “auditory locution” is one that is actually heard with the ears. Sometimes other people also hear it, if they’re around. It is rarer than an interior locution.

As for the OP’s actual request for early Christian saints having auricular locutions – well, that will take some looking up. I think I remember a few things like that.

 

[abenassi]

Fr. Hardon’s dictionary says:

An “interior locution” is one that goes directly to the auditory imaging parts of your brain (“imaginative locution”), or your intellect (“intellectual locution”).

An “exterior locution,” “auricular locution,” or “auditory locution” is one that is actually heard with the ears. Sometimes other people also hear it, if they’re around. It is rarer than an interior locution.

As for the OP’s actual request for early Christian saints having auricular locutions – well, that will take some looking up. I think I remember a few things like that.

I appreciate your effort should you undertake the task. I just haven’t studied the church fathers enough to have a general idea where to look.

 

[abenassi]

Bump