I am going to wrap up my comments and references to the Illuminative State. Of course, the topic is not exhausted here, as there is so much, in the long history of the Church, the Doctors, the saints, the Fathers and so on.
But, time is an issue now. I want to move to the Unitive State, which I approach as a topic, with fear and trembling. Why? To speak of something so profound, so holy when one is so far away from this state seems presumptuous. But, I think to finish off this, the last perfection series, (as I plan now), I must go on and attempt to share some insights.
I can start with the round-up of what I have already posted. Although this is an incomplete list, one can see that I have not written much on this. I intend to concentrate for the rest of this week, on this highest state of love a person can experience on earth. Complete unity comes in the Beatific Vision one experiences after death, if one is purified and goes to heaven.
These are not in any particular order.
25 Nov 2012
Garrigou-Lagrange
would fall into the category of theologians who believe that God is
calling all to the unitive state. The reason one should read these books
with the approval of a spiritual director is to avoid deceit in one's
life ...
15 Nov 2013
On
the Unitive State-a short post. Posted by Supertradmum. A last few
words on the Unitive State from St. John of the Cross before leaving him
for awhile follow: “It should be known that God dwell secretly in all
souls and is ...
06 Jun 2013
On
the Beatific Vision and the Unitive State A Bit. Posted by
Supertradmum. Last year, a friend of mine had a remarkable experience of
his particular judgement. The man, who is young middle age, told me he
cried for days ...
22 Aug 2013
For
most of us, especially in these times of chaos in the Church regarding
liturgy and catechesis, the road to perfection, to the Unitive State,
which is the mark of the saint, will be long and arduous. Many of us are
climbing out ...
08 Feb 2013
Catherine
describes the Unitive State here: we see the characteristics of the
enlightened mind and soul, purified in the Love of God and exhibiting a
fullness of caritas. Humility and love, peace and tranquility of mind
and purity ...
15 Mar 2014
Some
of the great saints, such as Bernard of Clairvaux, experienced this
state, before moving on to the Unitive State, very early in life, of
course, and were fortunate in their ability to share in words what this
stage involved.
18 Apr 2013
I
am assuming that readers have cottoned on to the purgative and
illuminative states, so that I can move on to the descriptions and
definitions of the unitive state. I am returning to Garrigou-Lagrange in
the next few days.
20 Aug 2013
There
is an illumination before the Dark Night, but the great Illumination
happens only after purgation, and for many saints, this illumination
quickly moves into the Unitive State, union with God in love. See the
link below.