Sacramental Presence and Mysticism
Spiritus: A Journal of Christian Spirituality September 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1353/scs.2025.a972513 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe essay argues that mysticism and sacraments both involve a transforming encounter with God's presence, a theme central to McGinn's work on modern mystics. Drawing on figures like Simone Weil and Michel de Certeau, it suggests that viewing mysticism as a lived, grace-filled reality can enrich sacramental theology, particularly for people on social and ecclesial margins, including migrants and practitioners of popular piety.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Philosophy |
| Key finding | Mysticism and sacraments share features of divine encounter, marginality, and mediated presence, and understanding mysticism as a lived reality can deepen sacramental theology 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.