Simone Weil’s Passion Mysticism: The Paradox of Chronic Pain and the Transformation of the Cross

Publication Type

Journal Article

Year of Publication

2009

Author

Helsel, Philip Browning

Journal

Pastoral Psychology

Volume

58

Number

1

Pages

55-63

Language

English

Keywords

affliction (malheur)
decreation
Christ
suffering
void

Annotation

Helsel argues Weil’s experience of pain caused her to feel isolated and alone and these feelings helped shaped a number of her concepts particularly those of affliction and the void. He goes on suggest Weil’s ability to share this experience of bodily pain with others allowed her to overcome some of this isolation. He then looks at the way this experience shaped her religious views, especially those centred on Christ and the cross.