Workbook Review Question Answers

Lesson Fourteen

(If you would like to purchase a workbook, you can do so here: INTERACTIVE DIGITAL WORKBOOK (immediate download) or PHYSICAL WORKBOOK FROM AMAZON.) 

1.  What is unique about the Ninth Grade of prayer, the Prayer of Transforming Union? How does it differ from the Eighth Grade of prayer, the Prayer of Conforming Union?

Transforming Union is unique because it’s the highest degree of perfection that is possible for a person in this life. It’s the highest rung of the divine ladder before our entrance into heaven. According to St. John of the Cross, the soul at this level is so filled with God that it becomes “more divine than human.” The difference between the Eighth and Ninth Grades is immense—comparable to the difference between betrothal and marriage. While betrothal implies a deep level of unity because of the intention of marriage, once married there is literally a union of persons. Betrothal is a promise of union, whereas marriage is union actually taking place.

2.  St. Teresa of Avila describes the Transforming Union as an “intellectual vision” of the Trinity that does not involve either the senses or the imagination. What does she mean by this?

St. Teresa describes this intellectual vision as an instantaneous communication of God to the soul that is so delightful there is nothing to compare it with. Impressing himself upon us, God enables the soul to grasp him by a new kind of sight, even though nothing is seen by the eyes or imagination. All three Persons of the Trinity communicate themselves to the soul and manifest to it “the glory that is in Heaven” in a manner that is not possible through any typical vision or spiritual consolation. Put simply, the Transforming Union is infinitely better than everything else we’ve experienced up to this point, It literally gives us a glimpse or foretaste of the Beatific Vision of God in heaven.   

3.  While the experience of Transforming Union is essentially beyond words, spiritual writers indicate this is also when ecstasies basically cease. We don’t experience the same kind of supernatural phenomena that we did earlier. Why is this the case?

Fr. Aumann says this is the case because “we’ve been strengthened to receive the full power of love.” In other words, we’re now so closely participating in the divine nature of God that his power and glory no longer overwhelm us.

4.  Can you name the three common elements that accompany the Transforming Union, according to St. John of the Cross?

The first is transformation in God. By this he means that the soul becomes brilliant in God and receives his supernatural being to such an extent that “the soul appears to be God and to have all that God has.” In other words, the soul “seems to be more God than soul and is truly God by participation” in the Divine Life, somewhat like a glass window allows light to pass through it while being distinct from that light.

The second is mutual surrender. By this he means that the soul enters the dynamic life of the Trinity, where each of the divine Persons gives himself to the others in an eternal exchange of love. Because this is the stage of spiritual marriage, both God and the soul surrender “the entire possession of self to the other with a certain consummation of the union of love.” At this point, we relate to God and others in the way that he relates to himself and to us—by mutual self-donation. 

The third is the permanent union of love. John of the Cross refers to this as being “confirmed in grace.” It means that our union with God is finally cemented. We are joined to God in a bond that is virtually unbreakable. Of course, we never lose our freewill, and so our ability to reject God remains. However, at this highest stage, when the soul is so deeply immersed in the sea of divine love, forsaking God is nearly impossible.