By the Christian Mystic: The Blessed Angela of Foligno

... in a vision I beheld the fullness of God in which I beheld and comprehended the whole creation, that is, what is on this side and what is beyond the sea, the abyss, the sea itself, and everything else. And in everything that I saw, I could perceive nothing except the presence of the power of God, and in a manner totally indescribable. And my soul in an excess of wonder cried out:

"This world is pregnant with God!"

Wherefore I understood how small is the whole of creation -- that is, what is on this side and what is beyond the sea, the abyss, the sea itself, and everything else -- but the power of God fills it all to overflowing. (pp. 169-170)

... God presents himself in the inmost depths of my soul. I understand not only that he is present, but also how he is present in every creature and in everything that has being, in a devil and a good angel, in heaven and hell, in good deeds and in adultery or homicide, in all things, finally, which exist or have some degree of being, whether beautiful or ugly. She further said: I also understand that he is no less present in a devil than a good angel.

Therefore, while I am in this truth, I take no less delight in seeing or understanding his presence in a devil or in an act of adultery than I do in a good angel or in a good deed. This mode of divine presence in my soul has become almost habitual. Moreover, this mode of God's presence illuminates my soul with such great truth and bestows on it such divine graces that when my soul is in this mode it cannot commit any offense, and it receives an abundance of divine gifts. Because of this understanding of God's presence my soul is greatly humiliated and ashamed of its sins. It is also granted deep wisdom, great divine consolation, and joy.
(pp. 212-213)


Angela of Foligno: Complete Works

The Blessed Angela of Foligno lived from 1248 through 1309 in Italy. Angela was a married woman with children. At age 37 she was overcome with sorrow for having led a pleasure-seeking, sinful life. She was converted and began making small steps toward liberating herself from her sinful past, but her family proved to be something of an obstacle. Surprisingly within several years of her conversion, every single member of her immediate household had died. Following these deaths, Angela sold her country villa and distributed the proceeds to the poor. She sought to embrace Franciscan poverty, but her remaining family and her spiritual advisors did everything possible to dissuade her. The local Franciscans finally were convinced of her sincerity, and they allowed her to take the habit and make her profession in the Third Order of St. Francis when she was about 43. That same year she made a pilgrimage to Assisi in order to petition St. Francis to pray that she:

· receive the grace of feeling Christ's presence in her soul
· keep the Franciscan Third Order Rule
· become and remain truly poor

The following year Brother Arnaldo was assigned to Foligno, and he took this opportunity to investigate what was going on with Angela at the basilica. He was extremely skeptical, and so he began writing down her experiences so that he could discuss them with other members of the clergy. These notes eventually became The Memorial, an account of her spiritual life which stands as the core of Angela of Foligno: Complete Works.

Author: Blessed Angela of Foligno. Translator/Commentator: Paul Lachance, O.F.M. ISBN: 0-8091-3366-0

The above material kindly provided by: http://www.digiserve.com/mystic/ (this site has extensive information on mysticism within the major world religions).