Asceticism and Purgation in Christian Mysticism

Introduction

One of the foundations of Christian mystical practice is asceticism and purgation. The term asceticism comes from the Greek word askêsis - meaning any kind of physical training, as what athletes before sports competition do.

During the era of the Church Fathers (the Patristic period of Christian history), Christians began to use the word askêsis to refer to the spiritual practices of self-denial and preparation for religious life. Asceticism is seen as a preparation for mystical grace and the first step to union with God. Examples of ascetical practices are various forms of self-denial: denial of bodily pleasure: from food, conjugal relations, sleep, and possessions.

Purgation

Purgation is a deeper stage in ascetical practice. Because God in His Divinity is all-good, all-pure, and all-perfect, any human being can purify himself if he wants to approach the Lord in prayer. In this sense, purgation of the exterior and interior person is not just a preparation, but an essential condition of being for anyone who seeks God in life.

Spiritual programs of asceticism

Detailed programs of ascetical life are connected with specialized forms of religious life. This began with the cenobytes of the desert in the fourth century A.D. When these cenobytes evolved into a more organized monastic ascetical order, they progressed into the religious asceticism of the Friars and the Beguines of the 13th century A.D. Ascetical practices at this historical stage became complex. But in whatever form ascetics practice, whether simple or complex, asceticism remains an important key to understanding Christian mysticism.

5 Primary sources on the ideal of asceticism and purgation

There are five spiritual works which can help understand asceticism/purgation and mysticism.

• One source is (1) "The Life of St. Antony", written by St. Athanasius of Alexandria - a writing that came from the mid-fourth century A.D.
• Another is the (2) "Praktikos" by Evagrius Ponticus - written at the end of the fourth century A.D.
• A third source is (3) "The Life of Mary of Oignies", by James of Vitry. This is a classic account of extreme asceticism by one of the early Beguines.
• Finally, two early-modern mystics, who develop the spiritual meaning of purgation, are: St. Catherine of Genoa, and St. John of the Cross. St. Catherine wrote (4) "Purgation and Purgatory",
• while St. John of the Cross wrote (5) "The Ascent of Mount Carmel".

Mysticism and Catholic spirituality in modern times

Catholic spirituality encompasses many states of life (celibate, married, priestly, religious). Catholic spirituality engages the person in relationship with God and others through prayer and active life. What makes mystical spirituality deeper is its way of relating with God. The Christian mystic's prayer and active life is one of intensity in simplicity. Mysticism today is often regarded as contemplation. Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner views it as a common and normal activity for most contemplatives-in-action - those who live an intense prayer life in their work.