Review for Religious

Abstract

There are three theories concerning the normal development of the Christian life. According to one theory, the normal culmination is mystical prayer; according to another, it is a mystical life, but not necessarily mystical prayer: and according to a third, mysticism is outside the normal development. It may well be that the differences represented by these theories are more verbal than actual. But it seems advisable to note that, even though the differences be real, each theory is tenable within the scope of sound Catholic spirituality, and none of them is certain. In the present article, Father Raymond strikes a vigorous blow for the second theory, the mystical life. We believe that his article should produce the effect he desires: namely, afford consolation to religious engaged in the active life who may wonder....