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Mystagogy

Definition of Spiritual Theology

  • Spiritual theology can be described in general terms as the application of moral theology to the spiritual lives of individual Christians with a view leading them to the perfection of the Christian life.
  • Spiritual theology comprises three elements: (1) the psychological data of spiritual experience; (2) the application of theological principles; and (3) practical directives concerning progress in the spiritual life with a view to Christian perfection.
    • Askeen (gk). “to practice”, “acquire skill”, “practice virtue”
    • Mystikos (gk): “Secret” or “hidden”
    • Ascetical theology studies the spiritual life from its beginning to the threshold of infused contemplation; mystical theology treats the stages of infused contemplation, passive purgation, and the transforming union.
    • Ascetical theology treats of the purgative and illuminative ways; mystical theology studies the unitive way. 
    • Vocal prayer, meditation, contemplative prayer
    • Struggles in prayer: spiritual dryness

Essential features of Christian Spirituality

  • Requires grace, grace is from God → therefore we must be obedient and receptive to God.
  • Sanctity is God’s work and it is an invitation to a relationship of love with God.
  • Centered on Christ
  • “FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM”

False Spiritualties to avoid

  • Any spirituality not centered on Christ but is instead centered on self.
  • Clings to self-will.
  • Superstition, Idolatry, divination and magic, irreligion, atheism, agnosticism. (CCC 2110, CCC 2128)
  • In the strict sense of the word, the only authentic spirituality is a spirituality centered in Jesus Christ and through him to the Trinity. This is true not only because created grace, the vital principle of the spiritual life, comes to us only through the mediation of Jesus Christ, but also because those who cultivate the spiritual life must consciously or unconsciously follow the teachings of Christ, regardless of their religious affiliation. Vatican Council II has promulgated this doctrine in the declaration on non-Christian religions:
    • The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions. She has a high regard for the manner of life and conduct, the precepts and doctrines which, although differing in many ways from her own teaching, nevertheless often reflect a ray of that truth which enlightens all men. Yet she proclaims and is in duty bound to proclaim without fail, Christ who is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). In him, in whom God reconciled all things to himself (2 Con 5:18-19), men find the fullness of the religious life.

Practical Aids to growth in the spiritual life.

  • Presence of God
      • Immensity, Indwelling, Sacramental, Personal, Manifestation
      • Helps us to remember that we should avoid all sin
      • We should strive to do all things with perfection.
      • Helps us to live in modesty, recognizing that we are temples of the Holy Spirit
      • Gives us fortitude in the midst of struggles → we are not alone, God is with us.
      • Practical method → have an image of God/crucifix, and interior recollection, the kingdom of God is within you.
  • Examination of Conscience
    • This is a more general examination of conscience, inquiring about the state of the soul/heart → “Where is my heart?” → It is simply a rapid, all-inclusive glance that reveals at once the state of one’s soul.
    • The general examination proposed by St. Ignatius has five points: (1) give thanks to God for benefits received; (2) beg for the grace to know one's sins and to rid oneself of them; (3) make a detailed examination, hour by hour, of one's thoughts, words, and deeds; (4) beg pardon of God; (5) resolve to amend one's life and then recite the Our Father.
    • three steps in the examination of conscience: 
      • a glance at one's state of soul 
      • contrition → helps correct evil, know that evil is evil
      • resolution → affirms what is good, what good should be done
  • The Desire for Perfection/ Fidelity to grace
    • It is the greatest thing we can pursue in this life: Sanctity
  • Conformity to God’s will
    • 1. Divine right. 2. Our utility. 3. The example of Christ.
  • Plan of life
    • The plan of life is a schedule of the occupations and practices of piety an individual should perform during the day. 
    • Provides constancy and the discipline required for making growth in the spiritual life. Leads to cultivating good habits.
    • Without a schedule, it's easy to waste time, fall into indecision, and become undisciplined..
    • Avoid extreme individualism. Rely on the fundamental means of sanctification → sacraments, mass, daily prayer, works of mercy, holy hour, rosary.
  • Spiritual reading
    • Helps with learning spiritual doctrine, inspires a desire for greater perfection.
    • Scripture is most valuable, also the lives of the saints, writings from the saints are valuable.
    • Reading suitable to a particular area you struggle with or need improvement in. 
  • Holy Friendships
    • True friendship is an alliance of souls who are united to do good. It is disinterested, generous, sincere, and patient to the point of heroism. True friendship does not know the meaning of duplicity or hypocrisy; it does not deny the defects that exist in the friends, but it enables them to love each other in spite of their defects and weaknesses.
  • Spiritual Direction
    • Spiritual direction is the art of leading souls progressively from the beginning of the spiritual life to the height of Christian perfection. It is an art in the sense that spiritual direction is a practical science that, under the guidance of supernatural prudence, applies to a particular case the principles of the theology of Christian perfection. It is orientated to the perfection of the Christian life, but this direction must be given progressively, that is, according to the strength and need of the soul at a given time. The direction should begin as soon as the soul has definitely resolved to travel along the road to Christian perfection and should continue through all the phases of that journey.
    • Sincerity, obedience and perseverance are crucial.

Kinds of Prayer:

  • Blessing and Adoration
  • Prayer of Petition
  • Prayer of Intercession
  • Prayer of Thanksgiving/Praise

CCC 2643: The Eucharist contains and expresses all forms of prayer: it is "the pure offering" of the whole Body of Christ to the glory of God's name and, according to the traditions of East and West, it is the "sacrifice of praise."