Ninth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

This paper proposes to listen to the crying voices of four “saints” of joy, faithful women who attempted to live out their Christian vocation in 13th and 14th century Europe: Hadewijch of Antwerp, Mechthild of Magdeburg, Catherine of Siena, and Julian of Norwich. By means of a contextual comparative study, it will show that these medieval mystics further our understanding of the nature of joy by teaching twenty-first century westerners how to perceive and reflect on a joy taking hold of the human heart amidst relentless suffering. These female medieval mystics teach us how to do theology without using abstract language and categories, that is, how to perceive and articulate in the mode and format of spiritual autobiography the transformative presence of God in our lives, even and especially in suffering. Understanding human existence as intimate transformative interaction with God, they have, in their persons and works, explored the conditions under which the experience and reality of suffering become the medium within which true and lasting joy can be accessed. The four landmark texts to be considered are the Poems, Visions and Letters, The Flowing Light of the Godhead, The Dialogue on Divine Providence and the Showings. These works convey the voices of gifted women called to teach both church and world on the true nature and purpose of human existence. The theology and struggle of these medieval mystics will inspire women and men striving to live authentic lives today, as they attempt to speak and minister in challenging times.