Catholicism Unveiled

What Hides Behind the Public Image?

Mary Ann Collins, A Former Catholic Nun

Chapter 17

I believe that the Catholic mystics were sincere men and women who loved the Lord. However, I also believe that they were deceived. It can be seen in the connection that many of them made between suffering and intimacy with God. They give a distorted picture of the nature and character of God.

The following brief statements are based on my recollection of some Catholic books that I read years ago. (When I was a Catholic, I looked to the mystics to show me how to be close to God. I read their writings, and books written by biographers who admired them.)

Later in this chapter, I will give more detailed information. You can verify it at some Catholic websites that are described in the Notes.

Saint Catherine of Sienna said that Jesus Christ was her novice master. However, supposedly under the direction of Jesus, she regularly whipped herself until the blood ran down her back.

Saint Teresa of Avila recounted an incident when she was sick, in pain, and feeling miserable. According to Teresa, Jesus told her that He deliberately makes His friends suffer.

Saint John of the Cross said that the “dark night of the soul” (intense spiritual and emotional suffering) is necessary for intimacy with God. There is a practical problem with that. If you expect to go through intense suffering, the devil will be delighted to accommodate you. If you welcome the suffering, because you believe that it is a sign that you are becoming closer to God, then the devil has your permission to keep on causing it.

How do we treat our babies? Do they have to prove their devotion by suffering? Is that a requirement for having us hold them and show them love? Of course not. We just love them. Would God the Father do any less for His children?

Suffering is part of life. Jesus said that, in this world, we will have tribulation. (John 16:33) God can use all things (including suffering) for our good. (Romans 8:28) But suffering is not a price that we pay in order to be close to God. God gives His love freely. We cannot earn it.

Saint Francis of Assisi said that it was “perfect joy” to be cold, hungry, rejected, and verbally abused. He glorified pain, suffering, and poverty. At the end of his life, Saint Francis had the stigmata. These are visible, bleeding, painful wounds that occur in the same locations as the wounds that Jesus Christ suffered on the cross. They are wounds in the hands and feet and side. They can also include wounds in the back (from whipping) and head (from the crown of thorns). Francis’ disciples considered the stigmata to be a sign of God’s great love for Francis.

Other people have also had the stigmata. One modern example is Padre Pio, who regularly whipped himself.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 says that the devil is able to work signs and lying wonders. He would be capable of causing the stigmata, especially if people desire it, because they consider it to be a sign of God’s favor. The stigmata are supernatural, and they imitate the wounds of the crucifixion. However, that does not mean that they come from God. They could come from the devil.

Moses, Joshua, the prophets, John the Baptist, and the Apostles had an extraordinary level of intimacy with God. Did these men whip themselves? Did they do penances to mortify their flesh? Did any of them have the stigmata?

These men suffered, but they did not glorify suffering, and they did not deliberately seek it. Their suffering was the kind that Jesus told us to expect. Jesus said:

“...because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” (John 15:19)

“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” (John 15:20. Also see Matthew 5:11-12; Matthew 5:44-45; and Matthew 10:22-23)

This is suffering, but it is not sought after, and it is not self-inflicted. It is the natural result of the world’s rejection of Jesus Christ and His followers. Jesus described it when He said:

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)

The Bible tells us to rejoice always (Philippians 4:4) and to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). This is because of our confidence in God, who promised to make everything work out for good for people who love Him (Romans 8:28). It has nothing to do with glorifying suffering.

The Bible tells us to rejoice when we endure hardship and suffering, because it will bear good spiritual fruit in our lives. (See James 1:2-4; Romans 5:3-5; 1 Peter 1:7.) This is not a glorification of suffering. Rather, it is following in the footsteps of Jesus, who was willing to endure the cross, because of the good that would result from it. Jesus was willing, but He wanted to avoid it if He could. In the Garden of Gesthemane, He asked if there was any other way. (Matthew 26:39)

When Jesus was on earth, He went around healing people. He taught His disciples to heal people. He said that His followers would heal people. Jesus said:

“And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues: They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:17-18)

How could Jesus spend his ministry on earth healing people, and teaching His disciples to heal people, and then tell Catherine of Siena to repeatedly whip herself? The whipping is not consistent with the character of Jesus, as shown in the Gospels.

The Gospels say that Jesus was “moved with compassion.” (Matthew 9:36; Matthew 14:14; Mark 1:41; Mark 6:34) Compassionate people do not deliberately cause suffering for their friends. The experiences of Catherine of Sienna, Teresa of Avila, and Francis of Assisi are not consistent with the compassion of Jesus.

At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus described His mission. He quoted from Isaiah 61:1. He said:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” (Luke 4:18)

Does this sound like someone who wants people to whip themselves until the blood runs down their back? Does this sound like someone who would make people endure the torment of the stigmata?

It is good to want to be wholehearted and fervent in serving God. We can see examples of this in the Bible.

Read some of Paul’s prayers. Look at the way that Paul would be writing about a subject, and mention God, and just have to write about the goodness and glory of God. Logically, it interrupts his discussion of the issue. Emotionally, it shows that Paul was so passionate about God that sometimes he just couldn’t help himself--he just had to stop what he was doing (even in the middle of a thought) and speak about the glory of God and His incredible love for us. Now that is a passionate man. That is a man who loves God with everything in him.

Read the Psalms. Look at David’s passion for God. We can share in David’s rejoicing and his wholehearted worship and praise.

THE APOSTLE PAUL

The Apostle Paul had extraordinary visions and revelations. He was caught up into Paradise and he heard things that he was not allowed to reveal to anyone. God gave Paul a “thorn in the flesh,” in order to prevent him from becoming proud, because of these amazing revelations. Scripture does not tell us what the “thorn” was, or whether it involved physical pain. Paul begged God to remove it, but instead of getting rid of it, God said: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9; see 2 Corinthians 12:1-10)

When Paul realized that this was part of God’s plan for his life, then he not only accepted it, he demonstrated that he truly had learned to be content no matter what his circumstances were. (Philippians 4:11) He showed that he had learned to rejoice in the Lord always and to give thanks in all circumstances. (Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

God will allow pain if it is necessary for a person’s spiritual health. But only God is qualified to judge whether such a thing is necessary, and, if so, what form it should take. This is not even remotely related to self-inflicted pain, penances, and “mortifications” of the flesh. There is a world of difference between rejoicing in spite of pain, and seeking pain.

Paul was a very disciplined man. He had to be, in order to fulfill God’s call on his life. Paul said:

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1 Corinthians 9:27)

The New International Version says: “I beat my body daily.” According to “Strong’s Concordance,” the word for “keep under” can mean beat or buffet (either one blow, or many blows). It also has a metaphorical sense of subduing something into compliance. This is reflected in the words “keep under” of the King James Version.

Would Paul have to subdue his body and force it to comply? Let’s see what shape his body was in. Paul told the Christians in Corinth:

“Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” (2 Corinthians 11:23-27)

I asked a chiropractor what Paul’s back would be like after it was repeatedly whipped, beaten with rods, and hit with stones. The chiropractor couldn’t speak. His face showed horror, and he shuddered visibly. Finally, he said: “I don’t want to even think about it.”

Have you ever had back pain when you had to do something? You have to force your body to obey, in spite of the pain. Paul probably had to do that many times every day. He must have often had to fight the desire to quit ministering, so that he could minimize the pain, instead of making constant demands on his body.

Paul said: “in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often.” He spoke of often being tired, in pain, and sleepless. (According to “Strong’s Concordance,” “watchings” means, “sleeplessness.”) Some of Paul’s sleeplessness may have been the result of praying at night, or working late hours at his trade of tent making. But pain also keeps people awake. Paul spoke of being sleepless immediately after saying that he was often in pain.

So Paul’s statement about keeping his body under has nothing to do with whipping himself, or beating himself, as a penance or mortification.

Paul did not glorify being whipped. When he was able to avoid it, he did. When the Romans were about to flog him, Paul said: “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?” (Acts 22:25; see verses 24-29) And immediately, the Romans backed off, and they did not harm him.

MYSTICS AND PAGANISM

Catholics are not the only mystics. There are also Hindu mystics, Buddhist mystics, and Muslim mystics.[1] Therefore, mystical experiences do not necessarily indicate that a person has encountered the God of the Bible. They don’t even indicate that a person is a Christian.

Thomas Merton was Catholic monk. He taught that every form of mystical experience is valid, no matter what its source. He praised Hinduism and Buddhism. Merton wanted to see the religions of the world become united.[2]

Some Catholic priests and nuns teach prayer techniques that are not prayer in the Christian sense at all. Rather, they result in altered states of consciousness, and susceptibility to demonic influence.[3]

A Catholic priest named Anthony de Mello gives workshops that introduce Catholics to Eastern prayer and meditation techniques. He wrote, “Sadhana: A Way to God: Christian Exercises in Eastern Form.” The book’s cover shows Jesus on the cross and a person seated in the lotus position, meditating at the foot of the cross.[4]

There are some Evangelical pastors who promote Catholic mysticism. As a result, it is is impacting main-line Protestant denominations. You can read about these men, and their influence, in Ray Yungen’s book, “A Time of Departing: How a Universal Spirituality Is Changing the Face of Christianity.” Since Catholic mystics are influenced by pagan mysticism, this is bringing a pagan influence into Protestant churches.

SOME CATHOLIC MYSTICS

I thought you might like to meet some Catholic mystics. The following information all comes from Internet articles. Most of them are on Catholic websites. Information about these articles is given in the Notes.

I am summarizing the information as the mystics described it. If they say that they talked to Jesus, then that is what I will write. Because there are so many statements of this kind, it would become cumbersome and repetitious if I tried to qualify them.

I use the term “saint” to show that people have been canonized by the Catholic Church. However, in the Bible, all Christians are called saints. (See Acts 9:13, 32, 41; 26:10; Romans 1:7; 8:27; 12:13, 25, 26, 31; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 6:1, 2; 14:33; 16:1, 15; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 8:4; 9:1, 12; 13:13; Ephesians 1:1, 15, 18; 6:10; Philemon 4:22; Colossians 1:2, 4, 12, 26; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Timothy 5:10; Philemon 1:5, 7; Hebrews 13:24; Jude 1:3, 14.)

BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux was a Cistercian monk and an abbot. He was devoted to the Virgin Mary, and he was influential in spreading devotion to her. Bernard is a “doctor of the Church,” which means that the Catholic Church highly values his teachings. In the Middle Ages, he was known as the “cithara of Mary,” an instrument that sang her praises. (A cithara is a stringed instrument like a lyre.) He wrote about Mary’s supposed role as our mediator.[5]

Bernard promoted veneration of Mary as the Queen of Heaven.[6] Because of his writings, Bernard’s devotion to Mary had a profound influence on Catholic spirituality.[7] There is a painting that shows Bernard kneeling in front of Mary, as Queen of Heaven, crowned with stars, floating in Heaven, and accompanied by angels.[8]

Bernard said that, whenever people are in danger, or going through trials, they should call upon Mary. He said that we should walk in Mary’s footsteps, and she should be our guide. He claimed that Mary will protect us from deception, and protect us from falling.[9]

There is a “mystical legend” that Saint Bernard was praying in front of a statue of Mary. The statue showed Mary nursing the infant Jesus. Bernard prayed: “Show yourself a mother.” Then the statue came to life. Mary pressed her breast and squirted milk into Bernard’s mouth. There are 27 works of art commemorating this, including a painting by Murillo.[10]

CATHERINE OF SIENA [11]

Saint Catherine of Siena chose to live in a small, dimly-lit room, which was three feet wide and nine feet long. She whipped herself three times a day with an iron chain. She slept on a board. At first, she wore a hair shirt, but then she replaced it with an iron-spiked girdle. She fasted, often living on little food except what she received when she went to communion during Mass. She meditated. She lived in isolation, only leaving her room to go to church. Sometimes she was tormented by visions that she knew to be demonic. For three years, she had “celestial visitations,” and conversations with Jesus Christ.

In 1366, Catherine had a mystical experience involving the Virgin Mary and Jesus. They appeared to her. Mary took Catherine’s hand. Mary held Catherine’s hand up to Jesus. Then Jesus placed a ring upon Catherine’s hand and “espoused her to himself.” (This is called “spiritual espousals.”) Catherine could always see the ring, but it was invisible to other people.

Following a series of mystical experiences, including a “mystical death,” Catherine entered public life. She wrote letters to princes and Vatican officials. During the Black Plague, she helped take care of plague victims.

In 1375, Catherine received the stigmata. However, although she felt the pain, other people were not able to see them. This is unusual, because the stigmata are usually visible and gory, and they can usually be verified by doctors. Catherine said that she asked God to prevent them from being outwardly visible, and He granted her prayer.

Saint Catherine of Siena is a “doctor of the Church,” which means that the Catholic Church highly values her teachings and revelations. She is a canonized saint, which means that Catholics are encouraged to study her life and be guided by her example, her teachings, and her writings.

JULIAN OF NORWICH

Lady Julian (or Juliana) of Norwich was a contemporary of Catherine of Siena. She wanted to have an intense understanding of what Christ suffered during His crucifixion. She also wanted to receive the “last rites” (the sacrament given to Catholics who are in danger of dying). She believed that the “last rites” would enable her soul to be fully cleansed by God, so that she could be more fully consecrated to Him. In order to achieve this, she asked God to give her an illness that would bring her to the point of death, without having her actually die. In 1373, Julian became seriously ill. She received the “last rites.” Suddenly, her pain went away. Then she had a series of 16 visions, which she wrote down.[12]

TERESA OF AVILA AND JOHN OF THE CROSS

Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint John of the Cross were Carmelites. This religious order is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. She is considered to be the patron of their order.[13]

According to tradition, in 1251, the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock, holding a Brown Scapular (two pieces of brown cloth attached by strings). She promised him that any person who dies wearing the scapular will not go to Hell. This promise is for people who belong to the religious order of the Carmelites, or who are associated with them.[14]

Teresa and John lived 300 years after the Brown Scapular was given to Simon Stock. Devotion to Mary, and belief in the effectiveness of the Brown Scapular, were a foundational part of their training as Carmelites. Therefore, it influenced their writings and their understanding of their mystical experiences. Teresa said that all of her nuns “belong” to the Virgin Mary. Teresa’s love for Mary is scattered throughout her writings.[15] John of the Cross was also known for his devotion to the Virgin Mary.[16]

Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross are studied by a Buddhist/Christian cult that considers them to be a prophet and prophetess. The cult also studies the Kabbala (Cabala).[17] (The Cabala is important to occultists.) Evidently, pagans can identify with the mystical experiences and writings of Teresa and John.

MADAME JEANNE GUYON

Madame Guyon advocated “quietism,” which involves becoming so passive that you become indifferent to everything, including eternal salvation. The will becomes completely annihilated. The person is supposed to be so totally absorbed in the divine love of God that he or she has no more desire for anything. This passive state of the soul is supposed to enable God to act within it.[18]

This sounds more like Buddhism than Christianity. The New Testament is full of action terms such as “strive,” “wrestle,” “weapons of our warfare,” “resist,” and “make every effort.”

Madame Guyon said that she had reached the point where she was no longer capable of sinning. She said that sin involves self, and she had become free of self. Therefore, she could no longer sin.[19] However, the Bible says:

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8-10)

CONCLUSION

The Catholic mystics loved God. They were zealous. They had supernatural experiences. However, because they were Catholics, their understanding of the Bible was distorted by unbiblical Catholic doctrines and pious practices. Therefore, they were poorly equipped to discern whether or not their mystical experiences were from God

For example, Catherine of Sienna believed that Jesus wanted her to whip herself until the blood ran down her back. Jesus, as portrayed in the Gospels, would never have done that. Although Catherine was sincere and devoted, she was mistaken. She had a distorted picture of God’s nature and character.

The Bible warns us that the devil can appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) and he can cause deceptive supernatural events (2 Thessalonians 2:9).

How can we know which experiences of the Catholics mystics were from God, and which ones were counterfeits from the devil? All we have are writings from people who trusted those experiences. We weren’t there to observe things that might have caused us to interpret them differently.

Some modern Catholic contemplatives, such as Thomas Merton, believe that all mystical experiences are valid, including those of pagan religions. In their search for mystical experiences, these people have abandoned the God of the Bible. The Bible says that pagan gods are really demons. The Apostle Paul said:

“But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.” (1 Corinthians 10:20)

By embracing mystical experiences from pagan gods, these contemplatives are engaging in “fellowship with devils.” This shows that mystical experiences can be dangerous.

It is good to have passion and zeal for God. We can ask God to set our hearts on fire with love for Him. We can ask Him to reveal Himself to us. We can spend time with Him, praying and worshiping and rejoicing in His love for us. We can follow the example of Joshua, who loved to stay in the Tent of Meeting, in the presence of the Lord. We can follow the example of David, who delighted in God and sang songs (psalms) to Him.

God wants us to know Him better and love Him more. He will help us do it. We need to turn directly to God--not to second-hand experiences of people we don’t know.