I have recently been studying a fascinating book by Hugh Owen entitled ‘New and Divine’. His basic thesis is that, through the writings of contemporary mystics like St Elizabeth of the Trinity, St Maximilian Kolbe and Bl Dina Belanguer, a new phase of holiness is being gifted to those whom he calls ‘exemplars’. An exemplar is a person who is an example of a reality which is not easy to understand. In this case they demonstrate a new growth in closeness to God.

He argues that this ‘new and divine holiness’ is characterised by an ‘incarnation of Jesus’ in the soul of the person. This is where they have submitted their own will so strongly to his that it is him living and working in them.

He claims that this is a new development in holiness, a deeper move into union with God than the ‘spiritual marriage’ described by such saints as Theresa of Avila and John of the Cross. He further reports that these mystics predict an exponential growth in the number of souls experiencing this unity, which will lead to the accomplishment of the prayer of Jesus: ‘thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven’.

I will leave the discernment of these arguments to minds greater than my own. My personal take-away from the book is that it has given me a greater sense of what St Paul meant when he said ‘I live now not with my own life but with the life of Christ who lives in me’ (Galatians 2:20).

Also, I feel a strong sense of accord with his analysis that all the great mystics of modern times speak with strong urgency of a great age of the Spirit commencing in our own time. They seem to all share the common theme that it is through growing more and more in accord with the divine will through contemplation that the Church will pray the new age into being. Intercession is crucial!