TODAY'S TERM: ECSTASY
A very vivid act of contemplation accompanied by the alienation of the sense life. A state in which the soul is rapt in God and receives wonderful spiritual illumination: so intense is the pr
ayer that the soul goes out of the body, as it were, the senses are inhibited, and the vegetative functions slow down. The body is not injured but strengthened by the experience. (Catholic Dictionary)
ayer that the soul goes out of the body, as it were, the senses are inhibited, and the vegetative functions slow down. The body is not injured but strengthened by the experience. (Catholic Dictionary)
According to Fr. Tanquerey, in his work The Spiritual Life, (who uses St. Teresa's Interior Castle as his source) there are three phases of Ecstatic Union:
1. Simple Ecstasy-which could be described as a fainting-spell. This experience is a mixture of pleasure and pain.
2. Rapture-Is a more "violent" and powerful action that may produce fear in the soul. This stage of ecstasy concludes the spiritual betrothal. A state of spiritual inebriation may last for days at a time.
3. Flight of the Spirit-The person may believe that her soul has left its body. This deep ecstasy is impossible to control. It has been written that St. John of the Cross would beat his hands against a wall to try and stave off the ecstasy if others were present. During this ecstasy one experiences the light and beauty of God. A spiritual truth will be revealed to the soul-afterwards it will be impossible to described this revealed truth.
St. Teresa states:
In one sort of rapture the soul, although perhaps not engaged in prayer at the time, is struck by some word of God which it either remembers or hears, His Majesty, touched with pity by what He has seen it suffer for so long past in its longing for Him, appears to increase the spark I described in the interior of the spirit until it entirely inflames the soul which rises with new life like phoenix from the flames.
Interior Castle, Sixth Mansion, Chapter 4, No. 3
The test of true ecstasy are the effects they produce in the soul.
St. Teresa teaches us that the soul:
1. Has a great desire to praise God and desires that others help her to praise Him.
2. She longs to perform severe penance-although the experience of love may not allow the soul to feel pain of these penances.
3. She desires to keep these favors hidden from others.
It must be kept in mind that the soul must not seek these favors. St. Teresa teaches us that we should not desire to travel this road of extra-ordinary favors. St. Therese of the Child Jesus also states this in her writitngs. She tells us clearly that she did not have visions or extra-ordinary favors and that she was thankful for this grace. She desired to travel the road of humble faith in God. We know that she inspires us to travel this same road of simplicity and childlike faith which brought her to the heights of holiness. May she and all the Saints pray for us.
Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS
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