French Mystics

Today I drove to San Antonio (and back) with a friend to go to the talk given by Dr. Wendy M. Wright on "The French Mystics." This is Year 2 of Christian Mysticism: History, Wisdom and Insights. It is sponsored by both Oblate School of Theology (where I may someday earn my master's degree in Theology) and Contemplative Outreach of San Antonio.


I last heard Wendy Wright speak at one of the sessions of the (two year) Academy for Spiritual Formation sponsored by the Upper Room in 2002. Then, she spoke about Roman Catholicism for five days. What I remember most is an image of a toddler Jesus inside a heart, sweeping it out. I think this was on her talk of "The Sacred Heart." (She even wrote a book entitled Sacred Heart: Gateway to God.) Being a Protestant, this emphasis upon the heart was new to me. I was surprised at how much I treasured the idea of baby Jesus sweeping out my heart! That still echoes within me, I don't know why. I have tried to find a copy of that picture from the middle ages, but have been unable to do so.

Today Dr. Wright whetted my curiosity about the French mystics I know little about. (Though she ended the discussion with Brother Lawrence and Jean Pierre de Caussade, whom I love and admire.)

I'll copy some of my notes for you below and list the main themes in each type of spirituality.

Characteristics of French Schools of Spirituality
1. Christocentric--want to "live" Jesus
--very Marian
2. Personal and ecclesial reform
3. Missionary
4. Male-female partnerships

Salesian Spirituality
Francis de Sales (1567-1622) and Jane de Chantal (1572-1641)
1. Christian humanism
--hearts are made to beat with God's heart's rhythm
2. Matthew 11:29-30
--Live Jesus! (which Francis and Jane wrote at the top of letters)
3. Little virtues such as gentleness, humility and patience
--The disciplines you don't choose are the most profoundly transformative.
4. Two arms of love--for God and neighbors
5. Friendship
--A virtue that changes us and helps us to grow, to make our hearts more generous.
6. Laity

Vincentian Spirituality
Vincent de Paul (1580-1660) and Louise de Marillac (1591-1660)
1. Luke 4: liberating vision of Jesus
2. God is present in our actions
--"God is love; we must come to him by love."
3. The poor
--"The poor are the privileged mediators of salvation"
4. Firm and flexible
--Be firm in your goals, but gentle and flexible in working towards them.
5. Rich and poor--connect through relationships

French (Berullian) School of Spirituality
Pierre de Berulle (1575-1629)
Jean Jacques Olier (1608-1657)
Jean/John Eudes (1601-1680)
1. Abstract mysticism
--influenced by neo-platonic thinking
2. States of Jesus
--enter by prayer into different times of Jesus' life
3. Servitude and Adoration (Nothingness and Grandeur)
--human as nothing; God adoringly Other
4. Clerical reform

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Rosary
Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) and Claude de la Columbiere (1641-1682)
--visions of Jesus asking for devotions to his heart
Louis de Montfort (1673-1716)
--codified and promulgated the Rosary

Later
Jean-Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751
Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection (1614-1691)

And she did not have time to discuss the controversies of Jansenism and Quietism.
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Well, if anyone ever reads all these links, it will take a LONG time. I myself need to come back someday to read them.