Even the holiest of saints can feel a lack of spiritual consolation from God. Often temporary, it may endure for a long time – even one’s whole life.
Called “noche oscura del alma” by the Spanish mystic St. John of the Cross, “the dark night of the soul” is one’s spiritual state after the withdrawal of God’s illuminating grace. St. John of the Cross coined the term when he wrote a poem that narrated the journey of the soul to mystical union with God.
A form of purification for those called to a high degree of sanctity, the soul is put in the “obscure night” or the “great desolation.” Its “dark” nature emphasizes the normal condition of spiritual sight, dimly lit by the light of Faith, whereas a person in this purification is deprived of much of this light.
The Catechism explains it as a form of spiritual dryness:
“Dryness belongs to contemplative prayer when the heart is separated from God, with no taste for thoughts, memories, and feelings, even spiritual ones. This is the moment of sheer faith clinging faithfully to Jesus in His agony and in His tomb. ‘Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if dies, it bears much fruit.’ If dryness is due to the lack of roots, because the word has fallen on rocky soil, the battle requires conversion.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church 2731
Many famous saints have gone through these spiritual crises, even enduring for most of their life. St. Paul of the Cross endured for nearly 45 years before recovering.
Doctor of the Church St. Thérèse of Lisieux was in the dark night over doubting the existence of eternity, famously saying to other nuns at her convent, “If you only knew what darkness I am plunged into.”
The dark night of St. Teresa of Calcutta may be the most extensive such case on record. She endured from 1948 almost until her death in 1997.
Mother Teresa described, “In my soul I feel just that terrible pain of loss, of God not wanting me – of God not being God – of God not existing. I find no words to express the depths of the darkness.”
George Ryan writes a blog for www.uCatholic.com.