Jan Van Ruysbruck
Biographical Details:
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Biography:
Jan van Ruysbroeck, born in 1293 in a small village near Brussels, emerged as one of the most significant mystics of medieval Europe. At the age of 11, he left his home to join his uncle, a priest, in Brussels, where he later became a chaplain. He was deeply contemplative, eventually turning toward a life dedicated to exploring mystical theology. In 1343, seeking a life of greater solitude and spiritual depth, Ruysbroeck left Brussels to live with a small community of hermits in the forest of Soignes. This community later evolved into a monastery, Groenendaal Priory, where Ruysbroeck served as prior. There, he wrote extensively, composing works in Middle Dutch that explored the spiritual journey toward union with God.
Ruysbroeck’s writing focused on the stages of the soul’s ascent to divine unity, characterized by what he described as active, inward, and contemplative lives. He emphasized a direct, experiential knowledge of God, which he saw as surpassing intellectual understanding. Ruysbroeck’s works, such as The Spiritual Espousals, reflect his intricate blending of theology and mysticism, providing a structured approach to spiritual transformation that influenced later Christian thinkers, including the Rhineland mystics and even some Protestant reformers. Known for his humility, he remained rooted in traditional Catholicism, despite exploring themes that were, for his time, quite daring. His emphasis on selflessness and divine love as paths to the mystical experience became hallmarks of his legacy. Jan van Ruysbroeck continued his contemplative work until his death in 1381, leaving behind writings that have resonated through centuries, inspiring countless readers on their own spiritual journeys.
Extant Writings:
- The Kingdom of the Divine Lovers
- The Twelve Beguines
- The Spiritual Espousals
- A Mirror of Eternal Blessedness
- The Little Book of Enlightenment
- The Sparkling Stone
Quotes and Excerpts:
On the Eucharist
“In the most holy Sacrament of the Altar, Christ gives Himself to us wholly, His body and blood, soul and divinity. He enters into the soul and renews it in the light of His love, uniting us to Himself in an ineffable intimacy.” –The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage, Book II, Chapter 10. Found in The Spiritual Espousals and Other Works of John of Ruysbroeck, trans. James A. Wiseman, p. 175.
On Confession
“Through the sacrament of penance, the soul is cleansed and adorned anew with divine grace. True contrition and confession open the heart to the healing mercy of God, restoring us to purity and the life of virtue.” –The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage, Book III, Chapter 2. Found in The Spiritual Espousals and Other Works of John of Ruysbroeck, p. 223.
On Baptism
“In baptism, we are born again into the life of Christ and the fellowship of His Church. This sacrament washes away all sin and seals us with the indelible mark of divine love, setting us on the path to eternal union with God.” –The Sparkling Stone, Chapter 4. Found in The Spiritual Espousals and Other Works of John of Ruysbroeck, p. 303.
On Purgatory
“In the cleansing fires of purgatory, the soul is purified of every stain that it may enter into the presence of God with perfect love. This is the mercy of God, who desires that all His children be made spotless before they stand in His glory.” –The Book of the Twelve Béguines, Chapter 8. Found in Ruysbroeck: Selected Writings, trans. Evelyn Underhill, p. 145.
On the Papacy
“The Pope, as the Vicar of Christ, holds the keys to the kingdom of heaven and governs the Church with authority given by God. To remain in obedience to the Holy See is to remain in obedience to Christ Himself.” –The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage, Book I, Chapter 5. Found in The Spiritual Espousals and Other Works of John of Ruysbroeck, p. 92.
On Mary, Queen of Heaven
“Mary, the Mother of God, is the pure vessel through whom salvation entered the world. Her intercession is powerful before the throne of God, for she is the Queen of Heaven and the mother of all the faithful.” –The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage, Book III, Chapter 4. Found in The Spiritual Espousals and Other Works of John of Ruysbroeck, p. 247.
On Confession
“When a man truly repents of his sins and lays them bare in confession, he opens the door to the mercy of God. The absolution of the priest is the voice of Christ Himself, saying, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ By this sacrament, the soul is reconciled to God and the Church, and it regains the grace and light that were lost through sin.” –The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage, Book III, Chapter 3. Found in Ruysbroeck: Selected Writings, trans. Evelyn Underhill, p. 250.
On Baptism
“Baptism is the beginning of all spiritual life, for it washes away the guilt of original sin and imprints upon the soul the seal of divine adoption. Through this sacrament, we are made children of God, members of Christ, and heirs of His kingdom. It is the foundation of our salvation, the gate through which we enter into the mystery of the Church.” –The Sparkling Stone, Chapter 5. Found in Ruysbroeck: Selected Writings, p. 315.
On Purgatory
“Purgatory is the work of divine justice and mercy, for there the soul is purified of all its stains. It is not enough to love God; we must love Him with a pure and perfect love. Those who die in grace but still bear the marks of sin must endure this cleansing fire until they are made ready for the vision of God. And when the last shadow is gone, they enter into His eternal light with joy unspeakable.” –The Book of the Twelve Béguines, Chapter 10. Found in The Spiritual Espousals and Other Works of John of Ruysbroeck, p. 278.
On the Papacy
“The Pope is the shepherd of Christ’s flock, the foundation upon which the Church is built, and the holder of the keys to the kingdom of heaven. His authority comes directly from God, and all who desire to remain in the unity of the Church must obey him. To reject the Pope is to reject the Church; to reject the Church is to reject Christ, who established it.” –The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage, Book I, Chapter 6. Found in The Spiritual Espousals and Other Works of John of Ruysbroeck, p. 105.
On Mary, Mediatrix & Qusen of Heaven
“Mary is the purest of all creatures, chosen by God to be the mother of His Son. Her perfect humility and obedience made her worthy to bear the Word of God. She is the Queen of Heaven, the Mediatrix of all graces, and the intercessor for all who call upon her. Her soul magnifies the Lord, and through her, the faithful are brought closer to Christ.”-The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage, Book III, Chapter 5. Found in Ruysbroeck: Selected Writings, p. 265.