St. Peter of Alcantara: The extreme mystic

Blessed Anne of Saint Bartholomew (1550–1626) was a Carmelite mystic and as a close companion of Teresa of Ávila, her right-hand woman. Her extraordinary encounters with Christ began in childhood and continued through religious wars in France. From visions of the Infant Jesus when she was a child tending sheep to serving as Teresa’s nurse, secretary, and companion, Anne’s life straddled profound mystical contemplation and the demanding realities of founding and governing convents. Her autobiographies and hundreds of letters reveal a woman who endured spiritual darkness, ecstasy, visions, and intense experiences of God’s presence while carrying the Carmelite reform far beyond Spain.If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's latest book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Saint Charbel (1828–1898) was a Lebanese monk and mystic who wrote nothing about his encounters with God, yet his life of radical solitude, fasting, prayer, and silence reveals a profound mystical path. Known as the “second St. Anthony of the Desert,” Charbel embraced an extreme asceticism that drew him deeper into communion with God. From his extreme asceticism to the extraordinary phenomena and tens of thousands of miracles attributed to him after death, his remarkable story offers a rare glimpse into the world of Christian mysticism and radical holiness.If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's latest book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brother Lawrence (c. 1614–1691) survived the horrors of the Thirty Years' War, lived with chronic pain, and yet discovered how to transform an ordinary monastery kitchen into holy ground. In this episode, we explore how an uneducated Carmelite lay brother became one of Christianity's most beloved mystics by achieving a deep union with God not with extraordinary visions, but through the quiet faithfulness of washing dishes, mending sandals, and performing every task with love. Discover why The Practice of the Presence of God has inspired Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox Christians for centuries, including Pope Leo XIV.If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's latest book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maria Simma (1915–2004) spent more than six decades speaking with souls in Purgatory who visited her pleading for prayers, Masses, and sacrifices to hasten their journey to Heaven. In this episode, we explore her astonishing encounters, vivid descriptions, and the spiritual lessons the suffering souls revealed to her. Simma’s extraordinary testimony offers a haunting glimpse into one of Christianity’s most mysterious realms.If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's latest book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Saint Peter of Alcantara (1499–1562) was so extreme in his pursuit of God that even other saints were stunned by his austerity. In this episode, we dive into the shocking life of the emaciated Franciscan reformer who slept only ninety minutes a night, wore heavy iron chains for years, fasted relentlessly, and became known for his mystical ecstasies and levitations.If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's latest book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

St. Bridget of Sweden (c. 1303–1373) was a noblewoman, mother of eight, and mystic whose extraordinary visions challenged popes and captivated Europe. From childhood revelations of Christ’s Passion to bold calls for reform during a time of deep Church crisis, her life was anything but ordinary. Known as both the “patroness of failures” and the "patroness of Europe," her mission unfolded in tension between divine insight and unfinished earthly struggles. In this episode, we explore the powerful visions, spiritual legacy, and enduring mystery of a woman who communicated with heaven itself.If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's latest book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

St. John Bosco (1815–1888) was a mystic who received visions in his dreams so vivid they shaped the future of souls and nations. From prophetic encounters and chilling glimpses of hell to a revolutionary approach to educating troubled youth, in this episode, we explore how one mystic's dreams became a divine blueprint for transforming lives.If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's latest book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon).If you have any questions, you can email us at [email protected]. Your question and the answer may appear in a future episode of the podcast.You can visit our podcast website HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thomas Merton (1915–1968) was a Trappist monk, bestselling author, and mystic whose life bridged cloistered silence and global controversy. From a restless, scandal-marked youth to a dramatic conversion and controversial activism. Merton sought hiddenness yet became one of the most influential Christian voices of the twentieth century.If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's latest book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon).If you have any questions, you can email us at [email protected]. Your question and the answer may appear in a future episode of the podcast.You can visit our podcast website HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824) was an Augustinian Canoness born in Flamschen bei Coesfeld, Westphalia, in northwest Germany in 1774. One of nine children, her family was very poor but faith-filled. She is best known for her visions of Christ and the stunning details recorded of those visions that served as one of the primary sources for the portrayal of the Passion of Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson's epic film, The Passion of Christ.If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's new book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible," you can order a copy HERE (Yale University Press) or HERE (Amazon).If you have any questions, you can email us at [email protected]. Your question and the answer may appear in a future episode of the podcast.You can visit our podcast website HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After many requests, Dr. Carlos Eire shares a reading list with our listeners.Great classic introductions:Evelyn Underhill,  Mysticism: A foundational, comprehensive survey of the mystical path. The Cambridge Companion to Christian Mysticism, edited by Amy Hollywood & Patricia Beckman): An excellent collection of essays Understanding Mysticism, ed. Richard Woods: Excellent essays of all the foundational scholarly interpreters of mysticism. Including the following: David Knowles, “What Is Mysticism?”Louis Bouyer, “Mysticism: An Essay on the History of the Word”Margaret Smith, “The Nature and Meaning of Mysticism"Evelyn Underhill, “The Essentials of Mysticism”Edward Howells: "Mysticism and the Mystical: The Current Debate" R. C. Zaehner, Mysticism Sacred and Profane: an Inquiry Into Some Varieties of Praeternatural Experience: A classicMore recent introductionsStephen Clarke, From Athens to Jerusalem: The Love of Wisdom and the Love of GodOlivier Clément, The Roots of Christian Mysticism John Macquarrie, Two Worlds Are Ours: An Introduction to Christian MysticismCarl McColman, The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism: An Essential Guide to Contemplative Spirituality Great historical - analytical surveys:Louis Bouyer, et. al., A History of Christian Spirituality, 3 volumes: an older classic surveyVol. 1 The Spirituality of the New Testament and the FathersVol. 2 The Spirituality of the Middle AgesVol. 3 Orthodox Spirituality and Protestant and Anglican Spirituality Bernard McGinn, The Presence of God: A History of Western Christian Mysticism:A monumental multi-volume series that explores the development of mysticism across different historical periods and theological contexts. Vol. 1 The Foundations of Mysticism: Origins to the Fifth CenturyVol. 2 The Growth of Mysticism: Gregory the Great Through the 12 CenturyVol. 3 The Flowering of Mysticism: Men and Women in the New Mysticism: 1200-1350Vol. 4 The Harvest of Mysticism in Medieval Germany: 1300-1500Vol. 5 The Varieties of Vernacular Mysticism: 1350–1550Vol. 6.1 Mysticism in the Reformation: 1500-1650Vol. 6.2 Mysticism in the Golden Age of Spain: 1500-1650Vol. 6.3 The Persistence of Mysticism in Catholic Europe 1500-1675Vol. 7 The Crisis of Mysticism: Quietism in Seventeenth-Century Spain, Italy, and France Bernard McGinn, Modern Mystics: An Introduction (not part of the Presence of God series, but a an essential complement to all of its volumes)Short surveys Harvey Egan, Introduction to Christian MysticismSteven Fanning, Mystics of the Christian TraditionWilliam Harmless, MysticsRichard Rohr, The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics SeeFocus on the corporeal dimension of mysticism:Montague Summers, The Physical Phenomena of MysticismHerbert Thurston, The Physical Phenomena of MysticismFocus on Practice:The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence of the ResurrectionThomas Keating, Open Mind, Open HeartMartin Laird, Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Practice of Contemplation                      An Ocean of Light: Contemplation, Transformation, and Liberation                     A Sunlit Absence: Silence, Awareness, and ContemplationThomas Merton,  New Seeds of Contemplation                         Contemplative Prayer Anthologies of Christian mystical texts:The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism, edited by Bernard McGinnChristian Spirituality: The Classics, edited by Arthur HolderLight from Light: An Anthology of Christian Mysticism, edited by Louis DupréSuggestions for approaching the subject graduallyFirst step: Read a brief modern guide like that of Harmless or Fanning to get context before diving into the mystical texts. Second step: Dive into short excerpts from mystical texts in an anthology such as those listed above Third step: Pair theoretical texts (like Underhill) with devotional texts (like Brother Lawrence or Merton) and entire mystical texts (like the Cloud of Unknowing or The Interior Castle). Fourth step: Dive into the great surveys (like McGinn), and explore mystical texts from different eras and traditions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.