Richard Rolle and Mystical Melodies

Richard Rolle, was a 14^th century English hermit, writer, and spiritual director. He was part of the “Golden Age of English Mysticism.” Scholars and theologians debate this notion of a golden age. They also debate the merits of the mystics usually associated with it.

These mystics being the anonymous author of The Cloud of Unknowing, Walter Hilton, Julian of Norwich, and Rolle. In terms of significance, Rolle is sometimes compared to Margery Kempe. A devout woman who lived into the 15th century.

Rolle shares commonalities with these other writers. It is his differences, especially his experiences of mystical warmth 🔥 and melody 🎵 that draw attention to him. His feast day in the Church of England is January 20.

Richard Rolle: Life and Writing

Rolle was born around 1300 in Thornton, Yorkshire, England. He had siblings. Rolle came from a family of means. He attended Oxford. Father James Walsh, S.J., writes,

“A young man of fiery temperament, who after a few years at Oxford and at home, one day resolutely turned away from what he called his sinful youth, ruthlessly cut himself off from his worldly environment and thenceforth, strove amidst difficulties and temptations towards union with God in solitary contemplation.”  

– Pre-Reformation English Spirituality:

In monastic life, there is the eremitical life. The life of a solitary or hermit. There is the cenobitic life. The life of a monk in community. An interesting feature of medieval England was the popularity of the eremitical life. 🙏

Julian of Norwich is an example of the eremitical or solitary life. She lived in a monastic cell attached to St. Julian’s Church in Norwich. Julian was an anchorite. She remained in one place. Hermits, like Rolle, traveled from place to place. Both hermits and anchorites pursued the spiritual life.

Their goal was union with God. After becoming a hermit, Rolle wandered for a time. Eventually he established his hermitage near the Cistercian community of nuns at Hampole. Rolle wrote several books on the spiritual life in Latin and English.

The writing of theological works in English was new at the time. His most famous work is Incendium Amoris (The Fire of Love). He died around the year 1350.

Spiritual Practices and Teaching

Rolle’s made unique contributions to English mysticism. Yet, it is important to remember his commitment to the ordinary habits of the spiritual life. Rolle’s writings recount his own experience with these basics. Basics recommended by most spiritual directors of his time.

Basic practices such as reading, prayer, and meditation. Reading meaning the Bible. Prayer, meaning liturgical prayer as well as individual prayer. Rolle also wrote about deeper forms of prayer, sometimes called contemplative prayer.

Meditation meaning both imaginative and intellectual reflection on Scripture. Contemplative prayer and  meditation are probably the least understood or practiced by Christians today.

In the Christian faith, meditation is not about clearing of the mind. Rather meditation is careful thinking about and pondering over a selection of Bible verses. Lectio Divina is an example of classic Christian meditation. Centering Prayer is probably the most well-known form of contemplative prayer today.

Rolle, like his fellow mystics, recommends that if we wish to encounter God more deeply we should practice Scriptural meditation. Also, we should aspire to and be willing to perspire spiritually 💪 to experience the gift of contemplative prayer.

Prayer can be hard work. Contemplative prayer for Rolle was entering into union with the Triune God. Rolle acknowledges that union is pursued by God’s grace over time.

Unusual Experiences

Rolle writes the following about his unusual experience of God’s presence:

“I was sitting in a chapel and, enjoying the sweetness of prayer and meditation, I suddenly felt in myself an unusual and pleasant warmth. At first I wondered where this came from, but after a prolonged experience of it, I realized that it had emanated not from a creature but from the Creator, for it became ever more ardent and more pleasant. This material and inexpressibly sweet warmth remained with me nine months and a few weeks, until the time when I received from above the gift of hearing the celestial melody.”

– Incendium Amoris

Rolle describes these sensations as fervor (burning), dulcor (sweetness), and canor (song). Rolle relates these signs with closeness to and union with God.

Visions and voices are not uncommon features of mystical writings. Most theologians are cautious about them. 🛑 We should not pursue God for the sake of special experiences but out of love. Also, many spiritual directors over the centuries  have identified such sensations as belonging to the early and not later stages of prayer.

Regardless, Rolle’s experiences are helpful in reminding us that such phenomena can be part of Christian prayer. Should you experience something “spiritually unusual” the best course of action is to test it (1 John 4:1).

Ask yourself, “Lord, is this from you?” Does the experience motivate you to love God and neighbor more?  If such experiences continue you would be wise to consult a trusted pastor or spiritual director.  

Richard Rolle and Christians Today

Rolle is the “charismatic Christian” of the English mystics. 🕊 His experience of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit is similar in some ways to the experiences of millions of Pentecostal Christians throughout the world today. Bernard McGinn, the venerable and prolific scholar of mysticism writes:

            “The theological message Rolle wants to convey has an important Christological dimension. The Word came in a body to save us not from our bodies and senses but in our bodies and senses.”

– The Varieties of Vernacular Mysticism

This physical, bodily experience of spirituality is a helpful corrective to some expressions of spirituality which seem to regard the body as little more than a nuisance.

Rolle’s writings are lyrical and poetic in style. His emphasis, like so much of the mystical tradition, is not on knowledge, but on love. He writes:

“A reasonable soul cannot be without love while it is in this life…for to love and to be loved is the sweet business of human life…if therefore you seek to be loved, love; for love demands its return”

– Incendium Amoris

For Rolle, love is pursued in seeking God above all things. Rolle’s writings and prayers are filled with references to the name of Jesus. In the Christian faith, Jesus is not only the example and teacher of love, but the way to Love and Love’s final destination.

This Gospel melody, the melody of love, is one we can all hear and sing, through our prayer and within our action. 🎵 🙏 🎬

Visit the Welcome Page or Read More Posts about Spirituality and Life