Is Divine Union with God in this life only attainable by mystics?

[WannabeSaint]

Is Divine Union with God in this life only attainable by mystics? Is this something only one with mystical abilities can achieve in this life? And when I ask “if anyone can achieve”, I don’t mean it in the context of “With God, all things are possible.” I mean if a mystic and an ordinary devout Catholic both went about their prayer and devotion in the same manner, would they both reach Divine Union?

 

[TK421]

What definition are you using for “Divine Union”? The traditional one?

Prayer is how a person communicates and converses with God. Prayer even precedes the Sacraments in importance, because a person who doesn’t pray cannot profit from the Sacraments. Every person ought to be praying daily.

Mystics sometimes experience things that other people don’t, and this is in order to serve a certain purpose according to Providence. The prayer of a mystic isn’t (necessarily) more or less in union with God than a pious person who doesn’t have mystical experiences.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Mystics may have special charisms, but anyone who puts time and effort into getting closer to God will feel the benefits of that, regardless of whether the person is doing it through contemplative prayer or through going out feeding the poor.

I’m nowhere near a mystic, but I can tell you that by praying daily and going to Mass as often as possible, I’ve definitely felt some changes. It’s a journey. The song “Day by Day” (based on a prayer by St. Richard of Chichester) expresses it well.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

The prayer of a mystic isn’t (necessarily) more or less in union with God than a pious person who doesn’t have mystical experiences.

True. I believe St. Mother Theresa said that after she traveled to India and began her work there, she never experienced any other mystical contacts from God. She also experienced a lot of doubt. Nevertheless she was growing closer to God all the time through her many years of work.

 

[WannabeSaint]

What definition are you using for “Divine Union”?

I guess what St. Theresa of Avila meant by the Seventh Mansion of the Interior Castle.

 

[TK421]

St Theresa of Avila had an interesting perspective on mysticism. She (seemed) to think it could happen to anybody, whereas many believe it is more of a charism: certain people are called to have mystical experiences for select purposes, and otherwise it doesn’t happen.

 

[AlbMagno]

No, we can all be literally in Union with God through the Eucharist.

Communion while in Grace is the closest experience we will have on earth of Heaven.

 

[Dan_Defender]

The mystics had unique exceptional experiences to be sure. Not many will achieve such in this life as it requires full detachment of this world and the senses. Some will die trying

 

[PennyinCanada]

I mean if a mystic and an ordinary devout Catholic both went about their prayer and devotion in the same manner, would they both reach Divine Union?

It’s not like a drink machine where you put in the money and the drink comes out on the bottom. ‘Prayer and devotion in the same manner’ sounds like they have the same coins.
It’s really in God’s hands, isn’t it? He’s the Master and we are the body and hands do different things than eye balls.
It’s always good to ask! Can I have more of You, God? Who knows where that prayer will take you! You’d have to be brave to ask that.

 

[fhansen]

As others have said, a person may receive one mystical experience in ther lives, or a handful, or many. They can receive them without seeking them. Or others may seek this closeness to God. Either way it’s totally up to His discretion and for His purposes whether we receive them or not.