The Harrowing of Hell
Published on: 28 April, 2017
By: David Torkington
I first began to understand certain mystical truths as I prayed at the place where Jesus was crucified on the first Good Friday. I have written about some of these insights when I spent a night in the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, but some were too much for me to understand at the time, and…
A Cautionary Tale for Lent
Published on: 12 March, 2017
By: David Torkington
Some years ago, I shared a flat with a man called Caruthers. If ‘morals make the man, and manners make the gentleman’, then Caruthers was the finest gentleman I had ever met, or so I thought for the first few weeks.
Mystical marriage
Published on: 28 February, 2017
By: David Torkington
When Helen, said to be the most beautiful woman in Greek antiquity fled with her lover to Troy, she did not receive the reception that she expected.
St Francis of Assisi – Part 9 – The Whole World is a Friary
Published on: 21 February, 2017
By: David Torkington
When St Francis of Assisi had rebuilt a tumbledown little church given to him by the Benedictines he called it St Mary of the Angels. It was here, over 800 years ago that he heard God speaking to him through the Gospels whilst attending Mass.
Christian Mysticism and its Counterfeit
Published on: 17 February, 2017
By: David Torkington
The Vatican document on New Age Spirituality is subtitled, Jesus Christ the Bearer of the Water of Life – A Christian reflection on the New Age. Published in 2003, it insists that a clear understanding of our own tradition is the best antidote to alien influences…..
St Francis of Assisi – Part 8 – The Gospel Way of Life
Published on: 4 February, 2017
By: David Torkington
Francis chose a very specific way of life in which to embrace ‘Lady Poverty’ and it was quite unique. It was quite simply the way of life as lived by Jesus and his followers before the Resurrection.
The Resolution to end all Resolutions
Published on: 3 February, 2017
By: David Torkington
A hermit I know used to say, “When you stop falling you will be in heaven, but when you stop getting up, you will be in hell.” The fact of the matter is, we all fall. The secret of spiritual growth is how long we take to get up again.
St Francis of Assisi – Part 7 – Lady Poverty
Published on: 19 January, 2017
By: David Torkington
Ever since Charlemagne was enthroned as Holy Roman Emperor in AD 800 Europe gradually became a safer place in which to live.
Pray as You Can, Not as You Can’t
Published on: 17 January, 2017
By: David Torkington
I was determined to leave my mark before leaving school, but, as I could not make it in the academic field, I decided that I would have to do it on the athletic field.
Thoughts on Epiphany – Twelfth Night
Published on: 6 January, 2017
By: David Torkington
This is the world-shaking news that we are reminded of each Christmas as we celebrate the first coming of Christ in history so that he can come to us every day of our lives in mystery, to make his home within us here on earth.
Greccio and the First Crib – A Christmas Reflection
Published on: 30 December, 2016
By: David Torkington
When the Crusaders opened up the Holy Land to pilgrims, they set the scene for a new dawn in Christian Spirituality in the twelfth century.
Prepare for Christmas: Open Yourself to God in Prayer
Published on: 27 December, 2016
By: David Torkington
Almost 25 years ago, I spent Christmas with a family who had one son who was adored by everyone. However, that Christmas there was another child present who had been semi-fostered.