Is there such thing as catholic mysticism and if so what are they?

Question

I know that there are many different ways of finding god and latly ive been looking into mysticism as a way and i know of a few mystic sects of other relegions (kabalah, whirling dirvishes) but none of catholic ties. Can any one give me a name and some back round info/web address to find out more? Thnx

Can you give me an order in particular like Kabbalah for jews as is Blank to catholics

Liet Kynes that is the best answer any one has given! I wish i could give you more points!

Answer 1

--is Catholic--

Yes there is such a thing as Catholic mysticism. ALL of Catholicism is considered to be mystical and full of mysticism.

Before I go on, let me suggest that you go out and buy this book:

THE SPIRITUAL LIFE: A TREATISE ON ASCETICAL AND MYSTICAL THEOLOGY.

This will give you a very good primer on mysticism that stems from the Latin tradition. The books is Thomistic in style so it is set up as a manual -- which is very helpful because mystical writings are very heady and one can get lost in them. The book is also nice because the book begins with 48 pages of all the major schools and writings on the subject.

I cannot stress how very much mysticism is tied into the whole of Catholic Faith. A prime example of this is the Eucharist and one enters into a mystical experience at Mass and during Eucharistic Adoration.

Because the field of mysticism is so broad, I am just going to spit out pure info and you can use what I give to find what you are interested in or you can message me (use my contact page to send an email) with more questions.

Words to look up
Monasticism
Mystical contemplation
Asceticism
Apophatic
Kataphatic
Theosis
Three-fold path (illuminative, purgative, unitive)

(Highlighting only of the major mystical writers follow)

Scripture the Following and their works are considered to be Mystics.

St. John the Apostle (entirety of his gospel and entirety of Revelations)
Daniel (parts)
Ezekiel (parts)
Isaiah (parts)

Early Church
The Shepherd of Hermas (Title by Hermas)
St. Augustine (Confessions and parts of other works)
THE DESERT FATHERS (early ascetics and monks use this to find the multiple collections by these people)
(Pseudo) Dionysius the Areopagite "On the Divine Names" "Ecclesiastical Hierarchy" "Mystical Theology"
St. John Climacus "Ladder to Paradise
St. Maximus Confessor, "Treatise on Asceticism"

MIDDLE AGES
(now starts to develop different schools of Mysticism names of a few important figures given only)
The Benedictine School (early western asceticism)-- St. Anselm, St. Bridget
The School of St. Victor (used Platonism)-- Huge of St. Victor, Adam of St. Victor
The Dominican School (unites liturgical pray, contemplation, and preaching)-- St. Dominic, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Catherine of Siena
The Franciscan School (affective spirituality)-- St. Francis of Assisi, St. Bonaventure, St. Catherine of Bologna
The German School (pseudo-Dionysius and Neo-Platonism), Meister Eckhart
Flemish School (connected with the German School but focused on practical applications), Thomas a Kempis,
Carthusian School (don’t know much about)
INDEPENDANTS -- St. Catherine of Genoa

Modern Times (Post Reformation)
(all previous school do not have people of this time period given.)
School of St. Ignatius (Society of Jesus (Jesuits)) (active and practical mysticism) St. Ignatius, de la Colombiere
The Carmelite School (contemplation and apophatic asceticism) St Teresa, St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of the Child Jesus,
The School of St. Francis de Sales (aescetism in everyday life by the laity), St. Francis de Sales,
The French School (focuses on doctrine particularly the Incarnation), Card. de Berulle, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louis de Montfort
School of St. Alphonsus Liguori (prayer and mortification), St. Alphonsus Liguori
INDEPENDANT -- Card. Newman

Those are the main ones, but there are plenty and plenty of others. There are 20th century mystics but I would suggest getting to know the early ones first and foremost.

I didn't list the mysticism from the east because that can be very different, but if you want to know about that, let me know and I will give you where to look.

Answer 2

I don't know of any particular name for Catholic mysticism, as in the case of Jewish mysticism(Kabbalah) or Muslim mysticism(Sufism), nevertheless, Catholicism definately does believe in mysticism.

Such cases are Visions of Our Lord or Our Lady, or the Saints, Stigmata(Wounds Of Christ Appearing on a particular individual), Exorcism, etc.

The Transubstiation of the Bread & Wine into Holy Eucharist Is Mysticism.

Answer 3

The catholic church has a long tradition of mysticism. I believe they would include the author of Revelation in the category of mystic. Two who come to mind immediately are Teresa of Avila and another John of 16th century Spain. Together they formed the order of Discalced Carmelites.
I cannot remember the book of Teresa's writings, but you can probably type in Teresa of Avila at Amazon and come up with something.
There's a tab at CircleofPrayer.com that gives a list of Catholic mystics.

g

Answer 4

Sure. Pope John Paul II was a huge mystic. You may want to look up information on the Catholic Charismatic movement, but be careful... some of the stuff can border on unorthodoxy, or worse, hereticism. Most of the stuff is okay now, though. Also here is an article you may want to check out:

Answer 5

Praying to Mary and Men (saints) for intercession (when ONLY CHRIST) can go to God for you. Asking MEN for forgiveness when ONLY CHRIST can go to God for you for forgiveness. Praying the Rosary, when god doesn't accept repetitive prayer, and puts a "cloud like mass in its way" (Lamentation 3:44) because its not coming to him humbly, with an open face, and open heart. He doesn't approve of saying the same thing over and over as it has NO MEANING TO HIM. He wants your heart to pour out to him. Worshipping (i.e., honoring the finger bones and human remains of saints) who were just HUMAN and nothing more. and on and on. Its all, well akin to voodoo in alot of ways, seriously. Do some reading.

Answer 6

Check out the Jesuits.