The Christian Mysticism Podcast

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 Christiani...

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 cop...

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...

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 l...

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...

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 Gibs...

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: Excelle...

Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) was a Swedish scientist, philosopher, and theologian who, in his midlife, became a Christian mystic and visionary after a profound spiritual awakening. Unlike most mystics, however, Swedenborg did not follow the usual steps to mysticism and many of his visions are like nothing we have heard about before, making him a most unusual mystic. If you would like to ord...

What is the connection between relics and mysticism? In this episode, we look at how relics have played an important role throughout church history, including the relics of well-known mystics. Mysticism joins the heavenly realm with the earthly realm, and we find that relics can do the same. If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's new book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible,"...

Father Thomas Keating (1923 – 2018) was an American Trappist monk who took the form of prayer used by Christian mystics over the past centuries and presented in a modern and accessible manner, so everyone can partake of it. Although considered controversial by some, Centering Prayer bears a very close resemblance to how Christian mystics used prayer to connect with God and the divine. If you would...

St. Gertrude of Helfta (1256–1302) was a 13th century German nun who enjoyed constant contact with the divine through her mystical experiences. Known also as Gertrude the Great, her writings were very influential and inspired St. Teresa of Avila and many other mystics throughout the centuries. If you would like to order a copy of Dr. Carlos Eire's new book, "They Flew: A History of the Impossible,...

Mystics can experience mystical visions that give them insight into the spiritual realm and that can bring messages from God. Whether they are visions of Christ Himself, the Virgin Mary, Angels, or even other saints, this mystical phenomenon plays a vital role in the life of mystics. In this episode, we go over the three types of visions mystics experience and discuss some of the messages they con...

For many Christian mystics who live holy lives of prayer and dedication, visions of heavenly beings are not out of the ordinary. However, heavenly visions are not always exclusive to mystics. Throughout church history, apparitions of heavenly beings have appeared countless times to regular people, often children, sometimes creating confusion and many times changing lives, countries, and even regio...

Born at the end of the 30-Year’s War, the worst bloodbath ever in Christian history, with Protestants and Catholics killing each other, involving most western European nations, Catholic mystic Madame Guyon (Jeanne-Marie Bouvier de La Motte Guyon 1648 -1717) devoted herself to a life of prayer amidst intense suffering. Ironic for her era, her mysticism crossed confessional lines and appealed to bot...

Why do so many mystics endure investigations, persecutions, and even imprisonment and execution? Mystics are always a potential challenge to church and civil authorities. If they are close to God – or united with God – they can claim higher authority than anyone else. Nevertheless, there are also any mystics who escaped close scrutiny and persecution. If you would like to order a copy of Dr....

St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873–1897) was a French Carmelite nun and a Doctor of the Church. She is known for her autobiography, Story of a Soul, which is still a popular spiritual read today. She is one of the most popular saints of the 20th century and still very popular today. St. Thérèse was never known for exhibiting the physical phenomena or ecstasies many other mystics throughout history have...

Love is an absolutely essential component of Christian mysticism. It is the driving force as well as the ultimate goal: to know God and to love God. But like all other aspects of Christian mysticism, it is deeply wrapped in paradox. 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...

Pain and suffering is part of every mystical journey and throughout history, Christian mystics have embraced it. The classic path to mysticism can be described in three steps: purgation, illumination, and union. But for Christian mystics, the purgation never ends. In this episode, Dr. Carlos Eire delves into the lives of Christian mystics and explains how they considered pain and suffering a gift...

Maria Faustyna Kowalska of the Blessed Sacrament, OLM (1905 – 1938) was a Polish Catholic religious sister and mystic. Faustyna had apparitions of Jesus Christ, which inspired the Catholic devotion to the Divine Mercy and earned her the title of the "secretary" of Divine Mercy. Throughout her life, Kowalska reported having visions of Jesus and conversations with Him, which she noted in her diary,...

The Christian Bible is full of imagery and instruction that Christian mystics have used as inspiration and direction in their mystical journeys. In our last episode, Dr. Carlos Eire shared a sampling of Old Testament scripture that Christian mystics have used and meditated on over the centuries. In this episode, we explore the New Testament and how Christian mystics used it as inspiration. If you...

The Christian Bible is full of imagery and instruction that Christian mystics have used as inspiration and direction in their mystical journeys. In this episode, Dr Carlos Eire shares a sampling of Old Testament scripture that Christian mystics have used and meditated on over the centuries. In the next episode, we'll explore the New Testament and the inspiration mystics found in that scripture. If...

Is the human brain the source of mystical experience? You may be surprised to learn scientists have been able to map the part of the brain that becomes active when individuals are in prayer, but that doesn't necessarily mean mysticism is just a hallucination or psychosis. In this episode, we discuss how the brain plays a role in mysticism and how modern psychology's penchant to pathologize mystica...

St. Gemma Galgani (March 12, 1878 -- April 11, 1903) was a “Daughter of the Passion” and lived a short life of intense veneration and imitation of Christ’s passion despite her own physical and emotional pain. She received the gift of the stigmata at the age of 21 and experienced mystical experiences with Christ, the Virgin Mary, and her guardian angel. If you would like to order a copy of Dr....

In this episode, we discuss the intersection between Christian mysticism and the phenomena of demonic possession and exorcism. 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 christianmysticismpodcast@g...

St. Padre Pio (1887-1968) was a 20th century ecstatic mystic, much like the mystics from the early age. A healer who was obviously influenced by St. Francis, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and several other mystics, he was best known for the physical and paranormal phenomena that accompanied his ecstasies, especially the stigmata, bilocation, levitation, the ability to read minds and...