This course examines the profound knowledge of God, often called mystical or contemplative, which can be experienced in the consciousness of the Christian as a result of union with God through the growth of baptismal grace, charity, and faith. It provides a brief exploration of the history of Christian mysticism, including key authors, literature, and Biblical foundations, with special focus on the thought of St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila. Attention is given to addressing common misconceptions that equate mystical experience with extraordinary phenomena such as visions or locutions, emphasizing instead the ordinary yet profound dimensions of contemplative union with God. The course also includes a brief comparison of pagan Greek, Jewish Old Testament, and Far Eastern mystical traditions. Familiarity with foundational theological and philosophical concepts introduced in Fr Lepak’s Introduction to Theology course is strongly recommended.

Fr Roy Lepak is a priest of the Archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis. His education includes a BA in Philosophy and an MA in Church History from St Paul Seminary, an MA in Educational Psychology (Counseling) from the University of Minnesota, and STL and STD from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, where he completed his doctoral dissertation, The Nature of Infused Contemplation. He taught theology at the University of St Thomas in St Paul for 24 years and has lived as a diocesan hermit since 1990.

Syllabus
Notes
Beings and Causes
Mountain Handout 1
Mountain Handout 2