Masculine spirituality

[bardegaulois]

It struck me a lot lately that much of what we read about spirituality is so very feminine, but what about men? Let's be frank, the idea of mystical espousal or of "falling in love" with the Lord just doesn't really move a man's soul very much. Nonetheless, the example of crusading orders, of missionary Jesuits, of martyr-priests does. I'd dare say in many ways, more active virtues, rather than passive virtues, like discipline, self-sacrifice, courage, duty, diligence, loyalty, and so forth--the types of rhetoric that makes men want to join the military--are far more important to most men.

Any thoughts in general about a more masculine spirituality and what it would look like?

Thanks for your replies.

[beatitude]

St John of the Cross wrote some of the most beautiful mystical love poetry that the Church possesses, and St Joan of Arc was a soldier. Self-sacrifice and courage are recurring themes in the writing of many saints no matter what their sex. In my secular institute, some women relate very much to bridal spirituality, while others don't. I don't. So I don't think it makes much sense to divide spirituality into 'masculine' and 'feminine'. Each person's relationship with God is unique, and we can find inspiration in our spiritual lives from many sources. There's a wealth of different reading material out there.

[bardegaulois]

I should add, Beatitude, that I'm not trying to assign arbitrarily one type of spirituality to men and another to women. No, nothing of the sort at all. I'm merely making a classification using terms that might commonly be understood. Maybe it would make a lot more sense if I were to stress that there is an active, bold, audacious sort of spirituality that's very often, to my mind, neglected. I can gladly give some examples from my own experience, but I'd rather the question remain general rather than personal.

[MarysLittleFlower]

Well I guess I'm typically feminine in this way lol. But I was also going to say - there are male Saints who wrote with similar language about the soul, though they of course didn't see themselves as brides of Christ as women would. St John of the Cross comes to mind - who is very serious, ascetic, and mystical. His poetry and books are incredibly beautiful.  But if someone isn't drawn to that language, there are other Saints such as:

St Joseph, St Dominic, St Louis De Montfort, St Thomas More... 

Edited August 10, 2015 by MarysLittleFlower

[Nihil Obstat]

I appreciate the directness and strength of many male saints and theologians.

[Catlick]

St. Ignatius of Loyola's Spritual Exercises is an excellent example of masculine spirituality. Lots of talk about fighting the good fight as Soldier of Christ against the Prince of Darkness. St. Francis de Sales's writing also breathe masculinity, although of the more civil, gentle variant that might be harder to see in an age where people know the macho parody and not the true form of manliness. 

When it comes to modern spirituality, I'd say St. Josemaria Escriva. 

[puellapaschalis]

St Benedict's Rule speaks of the school of the Lord's service and developing good zeal. There's little if anything of the emotive.

[Kia ora]

Let's be frank, the idea of mystical espousal or of "falling in love" with the Lord just doesn't really move a man's soul very much.

uh...excuse you. please don't speak for men please.

 

as christians we're all supposed to fall in love with god. 

Edited August 10, 2015 by Kia ora

[MarysLittleFlower]

St Benedict's Rule speaks of the school of the Lord's service and developing good zeal. There's little if anything of the emotive.

thats interesting because I heard the profession ceremony for nuns (or maybe when they become novices) has a lot of bridal language? Or maybe that's particular communities...

[puellapaschalis]

thats interesting because I heard the profession ceremony for nuns (or maybe when they become novices) has a lot of bridal language? Or maybe that's particular communities...

The profession 'ceremony' described in the Rule (as far as I can remember) is sparse. Much of the rest is add-ons from after the time of the Holy Father.

[Gabriela]

Does Thomas Merton count as "masculine"? He's very direct, and has written some on the Desert Fathers, who really weren't "feminine" in any sense. I'm not entirely sure what would count as "masculine" spirituality, unless you just mean more hard-core corporal penances and stuff...?

I'm female and don't relate to spousal imagery at all. I don't think the heavily emotive, sappy kind of stuff one runs into in... ahem... people like St. Therese of Lisieux... is really "feminine" so much as it is the product of a certain era in history.

[MarysLittleFlower]

I think its just something that some women relate to and others don't ...rather than being for a historical reason, just because we see it all throughout Church history from early Church (St Agnes) to mediaeval to Renaissance to Victorian to today  

[Benedictus]

It struck me a lot lately that much of what we read about spirituality is so very feminine, but what about men? Let's be frank, the idea of mystical espousal or of "falling in love" with the Lord just doesn't really move a man's soul very much. Nonetheless, the example of crusading orders, of missionary Jesuits, of martyr-priests does. I'd dare say in many ways, more active virtues, rather than passive virtues, like discipline, self-sacrifice, courage, duty, diligence, loyalty, and so forth--the types of rhetoric that makes men want to join the military--are far more important to most men.

Any thoughts in general about a more masculine spirituality and what it would look like?

Thanks for your replies.

I think it's a mission problem mostly -  there needs to be acknowledgement that outreach needs to happen among men, young men in particular. Some churches, and in some Catholic circles too, there are good mentor activities, men's prayer and activity groups, men's breakfasts etc. It's important to create spaces for men to meet and be formed in a way that allows an openness and exploration of faith. I don't mean some sort of exclusiveness, but an acknowledgement that such things need to happen.

I'm not for saying that certain practices or spiritualities are male/female though, each needs to find their own. However, I think a male/female split sometimes happens and it isn't helpful, especially around Marian devotions etc. I've known guys at college who pray the rosary in secret because some Catholics saw it as a practice for women, especially old women. I rejected all those narrow ideas and took Saint John Paul ll and St Louis De Montfort as two good guides in doing so. But, well, I have a habit of not being bothered about rocking the boat -  others were less willing. In my practices I have some great women saints too -  they rock and get things done too (no messing about)

Edited August 11, 2015 by Benedictus

[MarysLittleFlower]

I think men can (should!) pray the Rosary. Nothing "emasculating" about it AT ALL. The view that the Rosary is for an old ladies club is damaging.

Also St John of the Cross is not at all less masculine for writing poems like Spiritual Canticle. But if someone isn't drawn to such imagery there are lots of Saints with different approaches.

[Era Might]

The idea of crusading orders and missionary priests I would consider "feminine" in the sense that they are romantic, yearnings of the heart to be unique and great. Maybe more reflective of little boys than men. A more practical monastic spirituality seems most "masculine," giving men a sort of arena in which to act in daily life rather than giving them romantic fantasies. But everyone's different...I like Jesuits because of the intellectual side and the emphasis on discernment, which reminds me of ancient philosophy as a way of life, constantly thinking, but a lot of men aren't intellectual and would not respond to that.