In Mystical Theology we define a Mystic as a person who has reached a level of union between the soul and the Divine where words and symbols are not longer necessary. It is a spiritual space, granted by grace, where the sould knows that it is in the presence of God and “feels” truth, without words.
St. Catherine, St. Teresa, St. John of the Cross and St. Therese, who are the Church’s Mystical Doctors teach us that a spiritual marriage takes place between the soul and the Divine. There is actually a real marriage ceremony, not an imagined one, at which the Blessed Virgin, the angels and saints are present.
The external signs of mysticism are an ability to disconnect from the present moment at any time in prayer, especially during the liturgy of the Eucharist and the liturgy of the hours. The person appears to be asleep. St. Catherine of Siena explained that you can often hear moaning coming from the person. This is consistent with some of the verses that we read in psalms about moaning before the Lord.
Pope John Paul II certainly had this ability. His chroniclers have recorded moments when he was in prayer and would lose all sense of time and forget where he was or who was with him. Often during liturgy with the public, his aid would provide a very indescernible nudge to bring him back.
Another sign of mysticism is an understanding of the faith at a level that is not available to most Christians, even to other saints. Mystics tend to see the big picture, because when they pray they step outside of time. They can see the Church from the past into the future all in the present. They can achieve a deep understanding of the faith of the Church. The problem that mystics often have is putting what they understand into words that other people will understand.
Even those these things help us, they never actually convey the fullness of what the mystic experienced, because the experience has no language. There are no words. Serious Mystical Theologians who are currently studying the writings of Pope John Paul are finding the same characteristics in his writing that were found in the writings of St. Francis, St. Catherine and The Cloud of Unknowing. They are led to conclude that in fact much of what he wrote about his life and the Church is deeper than meets the eye. For example, in his famous encyclical Ut Unum Sint he sees conections between the Catholic Church and other faiths that are not apparently obvious to most theologians or even popes before him, which are difficult for the average person to understand. Serious students of John Paul’s spirituality are finding that he had an insight into the Mystical Body that no one has ever had. This insight does not contradict Church teaching on the Mystical Body, but presents elements and details that were never mentioned before, but are nontheless consistent with our faith and the scriptures.
It is also known that the great mystics excelled in heroic charity and mercy. John Paul’s affection for the man who tried to assasinate him was one of those extraordinary acts of mercy. His passion for youth and for the Jewish people seem to reflect an extraordinary love that is deeper than that of most Christians. The studies that are in progress suggest that he literally saw God’s grace and power at work among Jews and youth.
This is verified by the fact that during his pontificate more forms of religious life were born than during any other papacy and all of these forms have attracted young people from every nation and all walks of life. These young men and women are very faithful to the Church. In the USA alone, more than 15 different religious congregations, secular institutes, associations of the faithful arose by the inspiration of John Paul II.
The ultimate sign of a mystic is intense detachment and austerity. When John Paul’s apartment was inspected and his legal papers were read after his death, it was found that he didn’t even have a bank account. As Pope he is paid a salary, may own property and may be very wealthy. Pope Benedict owns a home in Germany and has money that he has received in the past for his years as a professor and for his years as the Prefect of the Congregation of the Faith.
John Paul had no money, no personal property and very few items of clothing. He didn’t even own an automobile, or a life insurance policy. He certainly didn’t seem to notice some of the harsh criticism that was thrown his way. He was very detached from material things and public opinion.
From what we know from his autobriography is that he did spend hours communing with the Blessed Mother. We’re not sure what happened during those hours, because he does not go into detail. But those who knew him say that he only slept about three hours per night and spent most of his night in prayer.
He was also very Catholic, which is a sign of a mystic. This is not Catholic as in RC, but catholic as in universal. He literally kept lists of events in each country of the world stored in his kneeler and he would pull them out and begin to moan as he prayed over each one. He was often found on the floor of the chapel in his apartment, laying face down with his arms wide open, even after he became ill. When asked how he prayed, his answer was always the same. “I don’t know. I pray as the Holy Spirit prays.” This is consistent with the life of the mystics and with the scriptures that describe the Spirit of God groaning within us. Witnesses report that they had no idea how long he spent in this position or how many years he had done this.
Yes, there are some clear indications that he was a true mystic along the same lines of St. Francis more than any othe rmystic, being as he was very oriented toward the needs of others and very gregarious.
JR
:ehh: :hypno:
