Sacramental Presence and Mysticism
Spiritus: A Journal of Christian Spirituality September 1, 2025 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1353/scs.2025.a972513 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
The essay argues that mysticism, like the sacraments, centers on God's transforming presence and is characterized by divine encounter, marginality, and mediated presence. Drawing on McGinn's work in Modern Mystics and figures such as Simone Weil and Michel de Certeau, it contends that sacramental theology can be enriched by viewing mysticism as a lived, grace-filled reality. This perspective is especially relevant for those at social and ecclesial margins, including migrants and practitioners of popular piety.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Mysticism and sacramentality both involve God's transforming presence, and understanding mysticism as a lived, grace-filled reality can enrich sacramental theology, particularly for marginalized groups. |
Abstract
Abstract:This essay explores the intersection of sacramentality and mysticism in McGinn’s Modern Mystics, particularly his emphasis on God’s transforming presence as central to mystical experience. Mysticism, like the sacraments, is marked by divine encounter, marginality, and mediated presence. In light of McGinn’s use of “presence” and figures like Simone Weil and Michel de Certeau, sacramental theology can be enriched by understanding mysticism as a lived, grace-filled reality, especially for those at the social and ecclesial margins, such as migrants and practitioners of popular piety.